Justice Salim Ibrahim ruled that the life sentences for Abdulrazak Umar (also known as Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid), Yunusa Musa (alias Yunusa Bin Musa), and Shamsu Adamu Sani (alias Abu Itisar) will take effect from the date of their arrest.
Before sentencing, defence counsel urged the court to show leniency, arguing that the defendants were first-time offenders who pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. He also noted that they are married with children and have elderly parents who depend on them, asking the court to give them a second chance.
The prosecution, however, maintained that the convicts were aware of terrorist activities and failed to report the information to security agencies, despite their responsibility as citizens.
The three men pleaded guilty to membership in a proscribed terrorist organisation and to concealing information related to the planning and execution of the school abduction.
Additionally, the first defendant, Abdulrazak Umar, admitted guilt to four additional charges involving terrorist training, passing operational instructions, and promoting extremist religious ideology to members of the terror group.
The Department of State Services (DSS) prosecuted the suspects on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, and related offences. According to the charges, the defendants, who are all from Niger State, knowingly withheld information about terrorist activities, participated in kidnapping operations, and used a messaging platform to facilitate terrorist training and coordination.
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