Court sentences Boko Haram member to death for terrorism offences in Adamawa, Borno
A federal high court in Abuja has sentenced Auwalu Samaila, a Boko Haram member, to death by hanging for terrorism offences.
James Omotosho, the presiding judge, convicted Samaila after he pleaded guilty to a six-count charge filed by the federal government against him.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, the judge said the convict showed no remorse despite the gravity of his actions.
“It is when somebody is remorseful and seek forgiveness with God that he can have mercy from him,” the judge said.
“The convict before me is not remorseful despite a lot of atrocities and lives that had gone from his hand.
“May God have mercy on his soul.”
Samaila, who hails from Gulak in the Madagali LGA of Adamawa state, was accused of participating in multiple attacks between 2012 and 2017.
The charges included membership of a proscribed terrorist group, receiving training in terrorist activities and weapons handling, and involvement in attacks on communities in Borno and Adamawa states.
He was found to have taken part in attacks in Damboa, Borno, as well as Gombi and Hong in Adamawa, where civilians and military personnel were killed.
The offences are punishable under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.
The prosecution, led by Jemila Ade, deputy director of public prosecutions, tendered Samaila’s confessional statement, which was admitted in evidence.
In the statement, Samaila said he transported female suicide bombers to target locations.
“I took her to Muna Garage in Maiduguri,” he said, referring to one of the bombers.
He also admitted participating in attacks in Mubi, Chibok, Damaturu, Michika, and Gulak.
According to him, he lost his left leg during a confrontation with the military in Konduga.
Delivering the sentence, Omotosho ordered that Samaila be hanged on counts four, five and six.
The court also sentenced him to 25 years’ imprisonment on counts one and two and 30 years on count three.
In separate judgements, the court also sentenced two other Boko Haram members — Shura Abdullahi and Abdulrahman Ari — to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.
Three others — Aisami Kadi, Umaru Usman, and Abdulrahman Hassan — were handed prison terms ranging from 20 to 21 years.
