The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced the mother and sister of slain terrorist leader Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo to lengthy prison terms after both women admitted to supporting his activities and concealing information that could have aided security agencies in apprehending him.
Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday, convicting Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi on terrorism-related charges brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
The court heard that the two women maintained communication with Battujo and provided information to him through telephone conversations while he remained a wanted bandit and terrorist commander operating in parts of northern Nigeria.
Prosecutors also accused them of withholding critical intelligence about his activities from security authorities despite having knowledge that could have contributed to his arrest.
According to the charges, one of the women failed to disclose information after visiting Battujo’s forest hideout and seeing firearms in his possession, while the other concealed details relating to his terrorist operations.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them. Following their pleas, the court imposed a 20-year prison sentence on each applicable count. However, Justice Yilwa ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning the convicts will serve a maximum of 20 years each rather than multiple consecutive terms.
The court further directed that the women undergo rehabilitation programmes after serving their prison terms.
Meanwhile, prosecutors withdrew separate allegations that the pair knowingly received ₦490,300 believed to be proceeds of terrorism and benefited from a Hajj pilgrimage allegedly financed with terrorist funds. The court subsequently struck out those counts.
Battujo, described by security agencies as a notorious terrorist and bandit leader, was reportedly killed by Nigerian security forces during an operation in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State on June 10.
The convictions come as the Federal Government continues an extensive mass trial of terrorism suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Hundreds of suspects linked to terrorism, insurgency financing and related offences are currently facing prosecution as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country.
Government officials have said the ongoing trials are aimed at accelerating justice for terrorism-related cases while reinforcing Nigeria’s commitment to combating insurgency and violent extremism.
