The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a former senatorial candidate from Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, to 10 years imprisonment for aiding terrorist activities.Justice Peter Lifu delivered the judgement on Friday, convicting Habeeb on a one-count charge filed by the Federal Government bordering on aiding and abetting terrorism through the supply of petroleum products to insurgents.
Habeeb, a Maiduguri-based fuel dealer, had pleaded guilty during his arraignment, admitting to selling fuel within the North-East region. However, he told the court that the transactions with insurgents might have been carried out by his station attendants without his direct involvement.
During the proceedings, the convict pleaded for leniency, kneeling in the dock and appealing for mercy. He informed the court that he has two wives and six children, and had been in detention for over 10 years without contact with his family.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. David Kaswe, opposed the plea for leniency, urging the court to impose a 20-year sentence despite the prolonged detention. He argued that the supply of fuel significantly aided insurgents by enabling their mobility during attacks and facilitating their escape into remote areas, leading to deaths and displacement.In his judgement, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence linking Habeeb to membership of, or training with, any terrorist group.
The court found that the only offence established against him was the sale of fuel to insurgents.The judge also noted that the prosecution did not dispute the convict’s claim of extended detention.
Consequently, the court sentenced Habeeb to 10 years imprisonment, ordering that the sentence take effect from the date of his arrest and detention.The court further directed that Habeeb be released immediately upon the completion of the sentence and signing of his release warrant, to enable his rehabilitation.
