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366 B’Haram terrorists convicted, four financiers jailed – AGF
366 B’Haram terrorists convicted, four financiers jailed – AGF
The Federal High Court sitting in Dawaki, Abuja, on Monday, convicted four Boko Haram financiers.
They are Modu Aisami, Zana Zarama, Umar Mohammed, and Bunu Kame.
The office of the Attorney General of the Federation disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The AGF’s Special Assistant on Communication and Publicity, Kamarudeen Ogundele, said the prosecution team led by the AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), secured the convictions in separate cases before Justice Binta Nyako and Justice Emeka Nwite.
He said the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency.
“The defence counsel was led by the Director, Criminal Justice in Legal Aid Council, F. A. Bakre.
“According to the charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, M. B. Abubakar, Aisami provided funds for the terrorist group by buying food products from the group, having reasonable grounds to believe that the proceeds would be used to commit a terrorist act, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 13(1)(a)(ii) of the Terrorism Provision Amendment Act, 2013,” the statement said.
Ogundele said Justice Nyako convicted the defendant having pleaded guilty to counts 2 and 3.
“I hereby sentence the convict to 20 years imprisonment for each of the offences. They are to run concurrently,” Nyako was quoted to have ruled.
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He said the judge also convicted Zarama and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment for concealing the identity of a Boko Haram member, Modu Sulum.
Ogundele said Justice Nyako added that the jail terms should run from the day the convicts had been in custody.
Justice Nwite, in another trial, convicted the duo of Umar Mohammed and Bunu Kame and sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, the AGF, also on Monday in Niger State, disclosed that the Federal Government secured a total of 366 convictions in the trial of Boko Haram terrorists that was conducted in 2017.
He added that 896 suspects were discharged for lack of evidence while 61 other cases were subsequently adjourned for further hearing.
The AGF spoke on Monday at the commencement of the trial for the fourth phase of the arrested suspected terrorists in Niger.
He said, “It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to this special event marking the resumption of the prosecution of terrorism suspects. This day is special for many reasons. First, the day marks yet another step forward in the journey of ensuring the security and safety of Nigeria and Nigerians, a duty that is of utmost importance to all of us gathered here, as it is the primary duty of government to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens.
“I must acknowledge the fact that we have come a long way in this initiative. The first phase of the Kainji Prosecution Project commenced in October 2017 with remarkable achievements where we recorded a total of 366 convictions, 896 others were discharged for want of sufficient evidence and 61 other cases adjourned for further hearing.
“There have been three phases of the exercise so far, spanning between October 2017 and July 2018. I must, at this point, challenge all stakeholders to ensure that the momentum is sustained, seeing how important this assignment is to the well-being of our beloved country and her people. “
Emphasising the importance of the trial, the AGF warned that if mismanaged, the situation could fuel insecurity and plunge the country into existential crises.
He said, “Terrorism has cost us a lot as a nation. From the communities directly affected, to the staggering losses in human and material resources, displacements, political and economic instability, and the general atmosphere of fear it has created, all point to how crucial this exercise is to our progress and prosperity as a nation.
“Conversely, if the process is mismanaged and, as a result, the insecurity situation is allowed to fester, it may lead to existential crises in the very long run. I, therefore, pledge my total support to the cause as I urge the stakeholders once again to continue in a good job.”
Fagbemi said the trial would be open and compliant with the constitution, adding that the Ministry of Justice would continue to deploy the right resources to improve its prosecutorial capabilities.
“The ministry is also continuing to support efforts towards deradicalisation and reintegration of deserving terrorists,” the AGF added.
366 B’Haram terrorists convicted, four financiers jailed – AGF
metro
Court Sentences POS Operator to Death for Role in Kidnap That Killed 83-Year-Old Man, Driver
Court Sentences POS Operator to Death for Role in Kidnap That Killed 83-Year-Old Man, Driver
An Imo State High Court has sentenced a 28-year-old point-of-sale (POS) operator, Isaac Okorie, to death by hanging for his role in the kidnapping and murder of an 83-year-old man, Chief Alexander Chukwuma Okoli, and his driver, Daniel Sarki, despite the payment of ransom by the victims’ family.
Justice Matthew Ijezie, sitting at the High Court in Urualla, within the Orlu Judicial Division, delivered the judgment on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after finding Okorie guilty on six counts bordering on armed robbery, hostage-taking and murder.
The court held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt through the evidence presented during the trial.
According to the judgment, the incident occurred on October 14, 2023, at Isiekenesi in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State, when Okoli and his driver were abducted by members of an armed criminal gang.
The court heard that Okorie conspired with other members of the gang, who were armed with guns, to seize the two men and take them into a bush.
The kidnappers also reportedly stole Okoli’s gold-coloured Toyota Corolla, with registration number AAH 989 RM.
The gang subsequently demanded a ransom of ₦100 million from the victims’ family in exchange for their release.
However, the family eventually paid ₦2.515 million, but the payment did not secure the safe return of the two men.
According to the court’s account, the gang killed both victims despite receiving the money and later sent photographs of their lifeless bodies to the family.
The remains of Okoli and his driver had yet to be recovered as of the time the judgment was reported, leaving their family members without the opportunity to give them a proper burial.
During the trial, the court heard that police investigations identified Okorie’s role in the criminal operation as receiving ransom payments from the families of kidnapping victims.
The evidence linking him to the operation formed part of the prosecution’s case, which the court found sufficient to establish his guilt on all six counts.
Following the conviction, the court gave Okorie an opportunity to plead for leniency before sentencing, a procedure known as allocutus.
Okorie reportedly appealed to the court for mercy, but Justice Ijezie proceeded to sentence him to death by hanging.
Reacting to the judgment, Ikenna Obi, a senior state counsel with the Imo State Ministry of Justice who prosecuted the case, described the ruling as significant.
Obi said the judgment would provide some measure of relief to the victims’ family, despite the continuing uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts of their remains.
He expressed hope that the conviction would deter individuals involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes, while discouraging others from joining criminal gangs.
The prosecutor also commended the judge for delivering what he described as a well-considered judgment in accordance with the law.
Amanda, the daughter of one of the victims, also reportedly expressed relief that the court had punished the convict.
She, however, said the family remained deeply distressed by the failure to recover the bodies of her father and his driver.
Although the judgment offered the family some comfort, she expressed hope that security agencies would intensify efforts to locate the remains and arrest other suspects who were still at large.
The conviction marks a significant development in the case, which began with the abduction of the elderly man and his driver nearly three years before the judgment.
However, the family’s search for closure remains incomplete, as the recovery of the victims’ remains and the prosecution of any outstanding suspects remain unresolved.
Court Sentences POS Operator to Death for Role in Kidnap That Killed 83-Year-Old Man, Driver
metro
MURIC Applauds Army as Mogadishu Cantonment Mosque Reopens After Week-Long Closure
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended the Nigerian Army Headquarters and the commandant of Mogadishu Cantonment for reopening a mosque used by Muslim soldiers and their families in Abuja after a week-long closure.
The Islamic human rights organisation said the mosque, which serves Muslim personnel and their families residing in military accommodation within the cantonment, was reopened on Tuesday, October 20, following an appeal by the group.
MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Sunday, October 25, 2026, describing the reopening as a welcome development that demonstrated the importance of dialogue and cooperation in resolving religious concerns.
According to Akintola, the mosque had been closed since October 12, preventing Muslim soldiers and their families living within the military facility from using it for their daily prayers.
He said MURIC had earlier appealed to the Army Headquarters and the cantonment authorities to explain the reason for the closure and restore access to the mosque for worshippers.
The organisation expressed concern over the disruption of daily prayers and urged the military authorities to address the matter.
Akintola said the mosque’s reopening on October 20, the same day MURIC publicly raised the issue, brought relief to the organisation and affected worshippers.
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He described the development as an indication that concerns raised through dialogue and peaceful engagement could receive prompt attention from relevant authorities.
MURIC said it appreciated the response of the Army Headquarters and the cantonment commandant, praising what it described as the professionalism of the military leadership and its respect for the rule of law.
The organisation also expressed optimism that the resolution of the matter would strengthen public confidence in the military and encourage constructive engagement between religious communities and security institutions.
According to Akintola, cooperation between the military and Muslim communities is particularly important in addressing terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges facing the country.
He argued that mutual understanding and goodwill between the armed forces and civilians would help strengthen collective efforts to combat insecurity.
MURIC therefore urged Muslims across Nigeria to cooperate fully with military personnel and other security agencies, stressing the importance of public support in the fight against crime and insurgency.
The organisation maintained that peaceful engagement remained essential to resolving disagreements and preventing issues involving religious practice from escalating into wider disputes.
Although MURIC welcomed the reopening of the mosque, its statement did not disclose the reason for the initial closure or whether the Army Headquarters had issued a separate explanation.
The development followed MURIC’s earlier public appeal to the military authorities to explain the closure and reopen the facility.
The organisation’s latest statement focused on appreciating the authorities for restoring access to the mosque and encouraging continued cooperation between Muslims and the military.
MURIC, which advocates the protection of Muslim rights and promotes dialogue as an alternative to violence, said the outcome offered encouragement that concerns could be addressed through peaceful and constructive engagement.
The organisation concluded by urging Nigerians to support security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and reduce crime across the country.
MURIC Applauds Army as Mogadishu Cantonment Mosque Reopens After Week-Long Closure
metro
US Declares Two Nigerians Wanted Over $3.1m Medicare Fraud, Drug Offences
US Declares Two Nigerians Wanted Over $3.1m Medicare Fraud, Drug Offences
The United States government has listed two Nigerian men, Ezechukwu Joshua Ohaka and Tayo Muyiwa Olukoya, as wanted over separate allegations involving healthcare fraud and drug-related offences.
The two men were listed by different US federal law enforcement agencies, with Ohaka accused of participating in a scheme involving more than $3.1 million in fraudulent Medicare claims, while Olukoya is wanted over an alleged conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
According to information released by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, Ohaka, 57, allegedly worked with co-conspirators through his Houston-based company, Luant & Odera, Inc., to submit fraudulent claims for durable medical equipment.
The equipment included power wheelchairs, motorised scooters and wheelchair accessories that investigators alleged were medically unnecessary or were not supplied to beneficiaries.
The agency said the alleged scheme involved more than $3.1 million in claims, with approximately $1.08 million in proceeds reportedly obtained.
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Investigators also alleged that Ohaka presented himself as a medical doctor under the name “Dr Joshua Ohaka” and targeted Medicare beneficiaries who had lived in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The authorities further alleged that kickbacks were paid to recruit beneficiaries into the scheme.
The allegations concern possible fraud against Medicare, the US government-funded health insurance programme that primarily serves people aged 65 and older and certain younger people with qualifying disabilities or medical conditions.
In a separate case, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) listed Olukoya, 57, also known as “Uncle”, as wanted over an alleged conspiracy to possess controlled substances with the intention of distributing them and to distribute the substances.
The DEA’s Chicago Division announced that it was seeking information about Olukoya, whose case is associated with the Southern District of Indiana.
Olukoya had previously been named among defendants in a marijuana trafficking case announced by the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana in May 2022. Prosecutors at the time alleged that the wider operation involved the distribution of large quantities of marijuana across several US states between 2016 and 2022.
However, the latest DEA wanted notice does not, by itself, establish that the allegations have been proven in court.
The two cases involve separate investigations, and there is no indication in the available reports that Ohaka and Olukoya were connected.
US authorities have called for information that could help locate the wanted men. The agencies have not established in the cited announcements that either man is currently in Nigeria.
The development comes amid continued efforts by US law enforcement agencies to pursue people accused of healthcare fraud, drug trafficking and other federal offences.
Both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
US Declares Two Nigerians Wanted Over $3.1m Medicare Fraud, Drug Offences
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