A former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja for selling petroleum products to members of the Boko Haram.
The conviction was delivered by Peter Odo Lifu, who found Habeeb guilty of aiding and abetting terrorism based on a one-count charge filed by the Federal Government. The defendant, a fuel dealer in Maiduguri, had earlier pleaded guilty, although he suggested that his attendants might have carried out the transactions.
During the trial, Habeeb pleaded for leniency, stating that he had been in detention for over 10 years without contact with his two wives and six children.
He made the appeal while kneeling in court throughout the proceedings.
Counsel to the Federal Government, David Kaswe, opposed the plea, arguing that the fuel supplied enabled terrorists to carry out deadly attacks, leading to loss of lives and displacement of many residents.
He emphasized that such logistical support played a critical role in the operations of the insurgent group.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu noted that there was no evidence linking Habeeb directly to membership or training with Boko Haram, stating that the conviction was solely based on the sale of fuel to the group.
The court also acknowledged that the claim of prolonged detention was not disputed by the prosecution.
The judge initially suggested a 20-year sentence but ultimately imposed a 10-year jail term, ordering that it take effect from the date of the convict’s arrest.
He further directed that Habeeb be released immediately upon completion of his sentence to undergo rehabilitation.
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