Federal High Court Jails Two Women 40 Years Each For Terrorism-Related Offences

Federal High Court Jails Two Women 40 Years Each for Terrorism Related Offences The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women arrested by the Department of State Services DSS to 40 years’ imprisonment each over terrorism-related offences. The convicts, identified as Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, are the mother and sister of late terrorist kingpin, Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo, who was recently killed during a security operation in Kogi State.

Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa delivered the judgment on Friday after the defendants pleaded guilty to counts 2, 4 and 5 in a five-count charge filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. The court, however, struck out counts 1 and 3 following an application by the prosecution. According to the ruling, the women were found culpable of aiding and abetting terrorism, as well as concealing information relating to terrorist activities. Court documents revealed that the first count alleged that the convicts received ₦490,300 from Battujo, knowing it was proceeds of terrorism. Another count accused them of travelling on a Hajj pilgrimage allegedly funded with proceeds linked to terrorist activities. They were also accused of aiding Battujo by passing information to him through telephone communications, thereby supporting his terrorist operations. Justice Yilwa sentenced both women to 20 years’ imprisonment on each of the two counts to which they pleaded guilty. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning each convict will serve a total of 20 years in prison on each count, culminating in the 40-year sentence. The court also ordered that the convicts undergo rehabilitation after serving their jail terms. The DSS had arrested the two women during investigations into the support network of the slain terrorist leader. Security agencies said the conviction forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics and support structures across the country. The judgment is seen as part of a broader crackdown on individuals accused of providing material or informational support to terrorist groups, as Nigeria continues counter-insurgency operations in affected regions. The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women to 40 years’ imprisonment each after they were convicted of aiding and supporting terrorist activities linked to a slain terrorist leader.