A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced a female terrorism convict, Halima Haliru Umar, to 20 years imprisonment for illegally possessing war-grade ammunition and attempting to support terrorist activities.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Hauwa Yilwa after the defendant admitted to key aspects of the charges filed against her by the Federal Government.
Umar was earlier arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Plateau State before being charged with terrorism-related offences and illegal possession of firearms.
The prosecution subsequently filed a four-count charge against her bordering on alleged support for terrorist activities and unlawful possession of ammunition.
When she appeared before the court on March 11 for arraignment, Umar pleaded guilty to counts three and four of the charges.
The counts were linked to her alleged possession of 302 rounds of live ammunition designed for an AK-47 rifle and attempts to provide material or logistical support to terrorist groups.
While reviewing the case, Justice Yilwa stated that the defendant’s decision to plead guilty carried serious legal implications.
The judge held that by admitting guilt, Umar had accepted the facts presented by the prosecution and effectively waived her right to challenge the evidence in relation to those counts.
Before sentencing, defence counsel, Hamza Dantani, appealed to the court for leniency.
He argued that the convict was a first-time offender who showed remorse by entering an early guilty plea instead of prolonging the trial process.
The lawyer also informed the court that Umar is a nursing mother and disclosed that her one-year-old child was with her at the time of her arrest.
Dantani urged the court to temper justice with mercy while considering the humanitarian circumstances surrounding the case.
On his part, prosecution counsel, Callistus Eze, confirmed that the government had no previous criminal record against the defendant.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Yilwa briefly adjourned proceedings before returning to deliver judgment.
The court sentenced Umar to 20 years imprisonment on the third count and an additional one-year sentence on the fourth count.
Despite the conviction, the legal proceedings against the defendant are not yet over.
Justice Yilwa subsequently fixed July 9 for the commencement of trial on counts one and two of the charge sheet, to which Umar had earlier pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution is expected to present evidence to prove those remaining allegations beyond reasonable doubt when the trial resumes.
