The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Alkali Yarima, also known as La’ari, to death by hanging after finding him guilty of participating in the 2015 terrorist attacks on Maiduguri, Borno State.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, imposing multiple prison terms on the convict in addition to the death sentence.
The court also sentenced Yarima to life imprisonment on count six, which relates to receiving arms and weapons training in preparation for carrying out acts of terrorism.
In addition, the judge imposed a 35-year prison sentence on count one for membership of the proscribed Boko Haram terrorist group and a separate 30-year jail term on count five.
Justice Omotosho further ordered that Yarima serve 10 years imprisonment each on counts two, three and four after convicting him on those charges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government arraigned the convict on a seven-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/971/2026.
The charge, dated May 26 and filed on May 29, was signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
According to the prosecution, Yarima, also known as La’ari, with chest number 1636 and from the Lawanti area of Mafa Local Government Area in Borno State, remained a member of Boko Haram between 2009 and the time of his arrest in 2015.
The government alleged that he accepted the teachings, known as “Da’awah,” of Boko Haram founder Mohammed Yusuf and continued to belong to the terrorist organisation despite its proscription.
The offence, contained in count one, is punishable under Section 16(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
On count six, the prosecution accused Yarima of preparing to commit acts of terrorism by travelling to an Arab country where he allegedly received military training on the use of arms and weapons.
The offence is punishable under Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
The Federal Government also charged the convict with directly participating in the attacks on Maiduguri in 2015, an offence contained in count seven, which carries the death penalty under Section 2(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention Amendment) Act, 2013.
Although terrorism trials involving Boko Haram suspects are usually conducted at the Federal High Court in Kainji, Niger State, the proceedings in Yarima’s case were transferred to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the Federal Government’s legal team during the prosecution.
Speaking after the judgment, the Attorney-General reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and restoring security across the country.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe place for everybody,” Fagbemi stated.
The judgment marks another conviction in the Federal Government’s ongoing prosecution of terrorism suspects as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle insurgent networks and hold perpetrators of violent attacks accountable under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.
