Fwd: Three Boko Haram suspects sentenced to 75 years in prison

Culled From:	(Chukwuebuka Atuegwu)

The Federal High Court in Lagos, Tuesday, sentenced three Boko Haram suspects to a total of 75 years in prison.Each of the three convicts, who were among the 17 accused earlier charged before the court in November last year, bagged 25 years imprisonment.Just like the trial, the journalists were barred from Men of the Department of Security Services (DSS) had prevented journalists from covering the suspects' arraignment a week earlier , Premium Times reports .

On Tuesday, Mr. Ipaye reiterated his position, adding that if the trial had been conducted in secret, the judgment also ought to be delivered in secret since it was a part of the proceeding.The defence lawyer agreed with the prosecution.The judge told journalists and every other person who was not involved in the proceeding to leave the court room.

The 17 accused who were arraigned before the judge, last year, on an eight count of terrorism and possession of firearms and membership of a proscribed organization include Ali Mohammed, Adamu Karumi, Ibrahim Usman, Bala Haruna, Idris Ali, Mohammed Murtala, Kadiri Mohammed, Mustapha Daura, Abba Duguri, and Sanni Adamu.Others were
Danjuma Yahaya, Musa Audu, Mati Daura, Farouk Haruna, Abdullahi Azeez, Ibrahim Bukar and Zula Diani.

At the end of Tuesday's judgment, a lawyer who attended the proceedings told journalists that the fourth defendant in the trial was acquitted.The lawyer pleaded not to be named because he was not authorized to address journalists on the outcome of the trial.

According to the lawyer, the Attorney-General had entered a nolle prosequi (Latin for "do not prosecute") in respect of two of the defendants, who were then discharged. Later, another 11 were also discharged in the course of the trial following another nolle prosequi by the prosecution.Only four – the first to fourth defendants – went through a full trial.

The suspects allegedly committed the offences on March 21 last year, at Plot 5, Road 69, Lekki Phase I Housing Estate, and at No. 24, Oyegbeni St., Ijora-Oloye, Apapa-Iganmu, Lagos.They were alleged to have in their possession three packets of explosive construction pipes, 15 detonators, and 11 AK47 rifles with 30 rounds of live ammunitions.

Other items also alleged to have been found in their possession include 200 rounds of 7.6 mm live ammunition, two suit cases containing explosives, and a water container filled with explosives.

The offences contravened sections 13(2) and 17(b) of the Terrorism Act 2013, as well as sections 1, 8, 27 (1) (a) and (b) of the Firearms (special provisions) Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation, 2004, and punishable under Section 8 of the same act.

The lawyer said the discharged fourth defendant was charged with funding terrorism by agreeing to provide money to facilitate the escape of the first defendant from detention.According to the lawyer, Justice Buba held that the prosecution did not establish the charge against the fourth defendant.

It was learnt that the judge, however, convicted the first to third defendants on all the counts, sentencing them to 25-year jail term each.

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.... It all started after I ran into Kanah. I was eight months two weeks pregnant I had a bag hung on my shoulder and was holding my two boys In both hands as we hastily walked past a car that was trying to pull into the road from a fuel station when I heard my name''Jane'' I stopped and dragged my boys away from the road before turning to see who was calling.Behold it was Kanah. He had come down from his car and was walking towards us. 'Mum who is he? Ray asked 'Uncle Kanah. your fathers friend' I answered Kanah stooped to shake the boys. 'how are you boys?, he asked as he shook them one after the other I am uncle Kanah . Ray and Muka chorused, 'Good afternoon Uncle Kanah.' .Good afternoon; could you please remind me of your names? 'I am Muka Ubanda 'My names are Ray Menduko Ubanda.'Brilliant' Kanah acknowledged and stood up. ''Jane how are you? Not bad, Mukoyo? I have not heard him for ages. ' He is alright. Tanya. how is she?" .... TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...JOIN US TOMORROW FOR MORE ON THIS FUNNY AND EXCITING STORY }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}