The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Boko Haram member, Auwalu Samaila, to death by hanging after he pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related offences.Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice James Omotosho convicted Samaila on a six-count charge brought against him by the Federal Government.
The judge held that the convict showed no remorse despite the gravity of the crimes.“It is when somebody is remorseful and seeks forgiveness with God that he can have mercy from Him. The convict before me is not remorseful despite the atrocities and lives lost through his actions. May God have mercy on his soul,” Justice Omotosho said.
Samaila, a native of Gulak Village in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was prosecuted under charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/122/2026.The charges included membership of the proscribed terrorist group Boko Haram between 2012 and 2017, receiving training in terrorist operations, including the handling of AK-47 rifles, and participating in coordinated attacks across parts of the North-East.
The prosecution further alleged that Samaila took part in attacks in Damboa, Gombi, and Hong, which resulted in the deaths of civilians and military personnel.Led by Jemila Ade, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, the prosecution tendered the defendant’s confessional statement, which was admitted in evidence.
In the statement, Samaila admitted to conveying female suicide bombers to target locations, including Maiduguri. He also confessed to participating in attacks in Mubi, Chibok, Damaturu, Michika, and Gulak.He further disclosed that he lost his left leg during a confrontation with military forces in Konduga and was subsequently treated by a medical team within the insurgent group.
Justice Omotosho sentenced Samaila to death by hanging on counts four, five, and six relating to participation in terrorist attacks. He was also sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on each of counts one and two, and 30 years imprisonment on count three.
In separate judgments delivered the same day, the court also sentenced two other Boko Haram members, Shura Abdullahi and Abdulrahman Ari, to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to terrorism charges.Additionally, three other convicts — Aisami Kadi, Umaru Usman, and Abdulrahman Hassan — were handed various prison terms ranging between 20 and 21 years for related offences.
