A former senatorial candidate, Babagana Habeeb, was sentenced on Friday to 10 years in prison after a Federal High Court in Abuja found him guilty of supplying petrol to Boko Haram insurgents.
Trial Justice Peter Lifu convicted Habeeb on a one‑count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism, saying the Federal Government had proved its case.
Habeeb, a fuel dealer from Maiduguri, admitted in open court that insurgents had obtained fuel from his station but told the court his attendants had carried out the sales.
It was said that throughout the hearing Habeeb knelt before the bench and pleaded for leniency, telling the court he had two wives and six children who depended on him.
He said he had been unable to see or communicate with his family for more than a decade while held in detention.
The prosecution, led by Mr David Kaswe of the Federal Ministry of Justice however opposed any reduction in sentence.
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Kaswe argued that the logistical support provided by Habeeb had enabled attacks that cost lives and destroyed homes, and urged the judge to impose a 20‑year term.
He told the court that without fuel, militants would not have been able to use motorcycles to mount attacks and flee into the bush.
In delivering judgment, Justice Lifu stated there was no evidence that Habeeb was a member of Boko Haram or had received weapons training.
The judge further said the only proven allegation was the sale of fuel to the terrorists.
Thereafter, the court accepted Habeeb’s claim that he had spent more than 10 years in pre‑trial detention and ordered that the 10‑year sentence should run from the date of his arrest and detention.
The judge also directed that Habeeb be released once his release warrant is signed so he can undergo extensive rehabilitation.