A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging for his role in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, Borno State.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho also sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on one count relating to receiving training in arms and weapon handling for the purpose of carrying out acts of terrorism.
In addition, the court imposed a 35-year prison sentence on the convict for belonging to the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group between 2009 and 2015. He was also sentenced to 30 years imprisonment on another terrorism-related count and 10 years each on three separate counts.
The Federal Government had arraigned Yarima on a seven-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, accusing him of terrorism-related offences, including membership of Boko Haram and undergoing terrorist training. The charge, filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was dated May 26 and filed on May 29.
According to the prosecution, Yarima, identified with chest number 1636 and from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, remained a member of Boko Haram until his arrest.
Although terrorism trials are typically conducted at the Federal High Court in Kainji, Niger State, the case was heard in Abuja.
Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who led the prosecution team, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and related criminal activities across the country.
The judgment marks another significant conviction in the government’s ongoing prosecution of terrorism suspects and reinforces its resolve to hold perpetrators accountable under the law.
Credit: Vanguard
