Court Orders Boko Haram Member be Killed In A Painful & Miserable Way for Not Showing Remorse for those Gruesomely Murdered
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Auwalu Samaila, a member of Boko Haram, to death by hanging for terrorism-related offences.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, convicted Samaila after he pleaded guilty to a six-count charge brought against him by the federal government.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the judge noted that the convict showed no remorse despite the severity of his crimes.
“It is when somebody is remorseful and seeks forgiveness from God that he can receive mercy,” the judge said.
“The convict before me is not remorseful despite the numerous atrocities and lives lost through his actions. May God have mercy on his soul.”
Samaila, a native of Gulak in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was accused of participating in multiple terrorist attacks between 2012 and 2017.
The charges against him included membership in a proscribed terrorist group, undergoing training in terrorist activities and weapons handling, and participating in attacks on communities in Borno and Adamawa states.
He was found to have taken part in attacks in Damboa (Borno State), as well as Gombi and Hong (Adamawa State), where both 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, presented Samaila’s confessional statement, which was admitted as evidence.
In the statement, Samaila admitted to transporting female suicide bombers to designated targets.
“I took her to Muna Garage in Maiduguri,” he said, referring to one of the bombers.
He also confessed to 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.
In sentencing, Justice Omotosho ordered that Samaila be hanged on counts four, five, and six. He was also sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on counts one and two, and 30 years on count three.
In separate judgments, the court sentenced two other Boko Haram members: Shura Abdullahi and Abdulrahman Ari to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.
Three additional defendants Aisami Kadi, Umaru Usman, and Abdulrahman Hassan received prison terms ranging from 20 to 21 years.
Earlier in the week, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed that about 500 suspects are currently being prosecuted in phase nine of the mass trial of alleged terrorists in Abuja.
The defendants are standing trial before judges of the Federal High Court.