The federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday sentenced Hussaini Isma’il, a Boko Haram leader, to 20 years imprisonment for his involvement in terror attacks in Kano state during the 2010s.
The convict, also known as Mai Tangaran, was found guilty on all four counts brought against him by the federal government.
Judge Emeka Nwite ordered Isma’il to serve concurrent sentences of 15 years for the first count and 20 years each for the second, third, and fourth counts, beginning from the date of his arrest on 31 august 2017.
This effectively sets his total jail term at 20 years, rather than the cumulative 75 years that would have resulted if the sentences were consecutive.
The verdict followed a dramatic change in plea by Isma’il, who had previously pleaded not guilty.
His plea shifted after video evidence showing him directing attacks and the testimony of five prosecution witnesses, including two officials of the state security service and two eyewitnesses, were presented in court.
Isma’il coordinated multiple attacks in 2014, including assaults on the police headquarters in Bompai, the mobile police base on Kabuga road, Pharm centre police station, and Angwa Uku police station.
He was also linked to the 2016 attack on Kano central mosque, which resulted in the death of numerous civilians.
Each of these offences is punishable under sections 16(1) and 1(2)(a)(e) of the terrorism prevention (amendment) act, 2013.
During sentencing, his lawyer, P.B. Onijah of the legal aid council, urged leniency, citing his client’s remorse and voluntary plea change as evidence of cooperation to avoid prolonging court proceedings.
Judge Nwite added that Isma’il would serve his term at a correctional facility designated by the comptroller general of the Nigeria correctional service.
At the end of the term, he is to undergo rehabilitation and deradicalization before reintegration into society.
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