One member of a highly visible terrorist group in Nigeria has been called to task on crimes committed against Nigerian citizens.
According to local news portal Leadership, a Federal High Court in Wawa Cantonment, Kanji in Niger State sentenced 35-year-old Haruna Yahaya for terrorism; his charges also include the abduction of over 270 Chibok girls in Borno State.
The schoolgirls were taken in 2014 and currently, over a 100 girls are still being held against their will.
Yahaya was also sentenced for group attacks in Borno State and Gasburi town in the Damboa region. He pleaded guilty to two counts but sought clemency, stating that he was coerced to join the terrorist regime.
One of the four judges appointed to this case was not convinced of Yahaya’s plea and stated he was “not fooled” by Yahaya’s claims. The court concluded that the defendant was attempting to use his handicaps – he has a cripple left arm and left leg, as an excuse not to be held accountable for the crimes he committed.
Though he has been imprisoned since 2015, the judge presiding over this case ruled that his 15-year-sentence was to commence immediately.
