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, the Borno State capital.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, convicting Yarima on multiple terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
In addition to the death sentence, the court imposed a life sentence on Yarima for receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for carrying out terrorist acts.
The court also sentenced him to 35 years’ imprisonment for belonging to the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group and an additional 30 years on another terrorism-related count. He was further handed 10 years’ imprisonment each on three other counts.
The seven-count charge, marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026, was filed on May 29 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo.
According to the prosecution, Yarima, identified as Chest Number 1636 from Lawanti Area of Mafa Local Government Area in Borno State, remained a member of Boko Haram between 2009 and 2015 before his arrest. He was also accused of accepting the teachings of the group’s founder, Mohammed Yusuf.
The offence of belonging to a terrorist organisation is punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The prosecution further established that Yarima travelled to an Arab country to receive training in arms handling and weapon use in preparation for terrorist activities, an offence punishable under Section 21 of the same Act.
The death sentence was imposed after the court found him guilty of participating in the 2015 attacks on Maiduguri, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that although terrorism trials are usually conducted at the Federal High Court in Kainji, Niger State, the proceedings in Yarima’s case were held in Abuja.
Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who led the Federal Government’s prosecution team, reaffirmed the government’s determination to eliminate terrorism across the country.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” Fagbemi said.