The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hamza Yahuza, a father of six, to seven years imprisonment for providing illicit substances to members of Boko Haram in Borno State.
The ruling was delivered by Justice Binta Fatima Nyako, who handed down the sentence after the defendant openly admitted to the offence in court.
Yahuza confessed that he had been involved in supplying Indian hemp, cigarettes, and other drugs to the terrorist group in parts of Monguno Local Government Area.
The case is part of a broader crackdown on terrorism financing and support networks, with over 500 suspects being prosecuted by the Federal Ministry of Justice Nigeria for aiding and abetting terrorist activities against the state.
During the trial, the convict pleaded for mercy, attributing his actions to financial hardship. However, the court dismissed this argument, holding that such justification could not excuse his involvement in activities that support terrorism.
Justice Nyako subsequently sentenced him to seven years in prison but ordered that the term should take effect from March 6, 2023, the date of his arrest and detention.
The judgment underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to clamp down on individuals providing material support to insurgent groups, particularly in the North-East region.
