Federal High Court Sentences ISWAP Leader to 20 Years for Terrorism

• A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced ISWAP leader Hussaini Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to coordinating multiple terror attacks in Kano State.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted and sentenced a leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Hussaini Ismaila, to 20 years’ imprisonment on terrorism charges filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Tuesday after Ismaila—also known as Mai Tangaran—changed his plea from not guilty to guilty on a four-count charge brought under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.

Ismaila was accused of coordinating several deadly attacks on police facilities in Kano State in 2012. According to prosecutors, he masterminded attacks on the Kano Police Headquarters in Bompai, the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, the Pharm Centre Police Station, and the Angwa Uku Police Station, among others, during which several people were injured.

He was arrested on August 31, 2017, at Tsamiyya Babba Village in Gezewa Local Government Area of Kano State and subsequently arraigned. However, the trial suffered delays due to interlocutory appeals and a trial-within-trial to determine whether his statements were made voluntarily.

When the trial resumed, the DSS presented five witnesses, including two operatives and two eyewitnesses to some of the attacks. After the fifth witness testified, Ismaila opted to plead guilty.

His counsel, P. B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, urged the court to show leniency, noting that his client was remorseful and wanted to bring the case to an end.

DON’T MISS: Why Shettima Is Heading FG Delegation to Kebbi Over Abducted Schoolgirls — Tinubu Explains

Justice Nwite found him guilty on all four counts and sentenced him to 15 years on count one, and 20 years each on counts two, three, and four. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning Ismaila will serve a maximum of 20 years.

The judge ruled that the sentence should take effect from August 31, 2017 — the date of Ismaila’s arrest. He also ordered the Controller-General of the Correctional Service to hold the convict in any suitable facility for the duration of his term.

Additionally, the court mandated that upon completing his jail term, Ismaila must undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation before re-entering society.