Court Jails Man For Failing To Report Boko Haram Members

Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a man, Isa Isiaka, to 20 years’ imprisonment for failing to disclose information on the activities of Boko Haram to the Federal Government.

Naija News reports that Isiaka, a father of 11 children and husband of two wives, was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to terrorism-related charges filed against him by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The court held that his deliberate refusal to provide information that could have assisted security agencies in apprehending members of the proscribed terrorist group was a serious offence.

The charge was instituted against Isiaka by the Federal Government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

When the charge was read to him in court, the defendant admitted guilt without wasting the time of the court.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who represented the Federal Government, told the court that the convict concealed information that could have led to the immediate arrest of members of Boko Haram.

The prosecution maintained that his action amounted to an offence under the country’s anti-terrorism laws.

After admitting guilt, Isiaka pleaded with the court to be lenient with him.

He urged Justice Nyako to consider that he was a first-time offender and also a father of 11 children with two wives who depended on him.

The convict appealed to the court for mercy, asking that his family responsibilities be taken into account.

However, Justice Nyako rejected the plea, describing it as untenable in view of the seriousness of the offence.

In her judgment, Justice Nyako sentenced Isiaka to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The judge held that the offence was grave because the information allegedly concealed by the convict could have assisted security agencies in tracking and arresting members of the terrorist organisation.

The court ruled that the sentence should serve as a warning to others who may be shielding criminals or withholding useful information from security agencies.