The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging over his involvement in the 2014 Nyanya Motor Park bomb explosions, which killed no fewer than 70 persons and left several others injured.
Justice James Omotosho handed down the sentence in a judgment delivered in the just-concluded Abuja mass trial of suspected terrorists.
Garba was convicted after he pleaded guilty to a five-count terrorism charge filed against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The charge, marked FHC/KNJ/CR/985/2026, accused Garba and others said to be at large of participating in the planning and execution of the bombing at Nyanya Motor Park in the Federal Capital Territory in 2014.
Justice Omotosho sentenced Garba to 35 years’ imprisonment on counts one and two, life imprisonment on count three, and death by hanging on counts four and five.
“May God have mercy on you,” the judge said after pronouncing the sentence.
In count three, which attracted life imprisonment, Garba, who was described as being from Jambutu Park in Jimeta Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was accused of conspiring with others to commit acts of terrorism by planning and coordinating the bombing through the use of explosive devices.
The prosecution said the attack resulted in the death of over 70 persons and caused injuries to several others.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
In count four, which attracted capital punishment, Garba and others at large were accused of knowingly and intentionally causing the detonation of explosive devices at Nyanya Motor Park with intent to cause death and serious bodily harm to members of the public.
The prosecution said the act led to the death of over 70 persons and injuries to several others.
The offence was said to be punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
In count five, which also attracted the death penalty, Garba and others at large were accused of participating in an act of terrorism which caused the death of over 70 persons by detonating explosives at the motor park.
The charge stated that Garba, who said in his confessional statement that he used to sell tea and bread, committed offences punishable under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
Justice Omotosho also convicted and sentenced other defendants who pleaded guilty to separate terrorism charges filed by the Federal Government.
In charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/1020/2026, Ali Mohammed was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment on count one and 15 years’ imprisonment on count two.
Isa Saleh was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment in a one-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/973/2026.
Tujan Mohammed, in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/954/2026, was also sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on the one count preferred against him.
For Salisu Bala, the court convicted and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment on count two but discharged and acquitted him on counts one and three in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/963/2026.
The mass trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the Federal Government’s prosecution team, said the government was determined to stamp out terrorism and related offences in the country.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” Fagbemi said.
