The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging for his role in the 2014 Nyanya Motor Park bomb explosions that claimed the lives of more than 70 people and left many others injured.
Delivering judgment in the just concluded Abuja mass trial of suspected terrorists, Justice James Omotosho also imposed a life sentence on Garba on one of the five counts brought against him by the Federal Government.
Garba, who hails from Jambutu Park in Jimeta Local Government Area of Adamawa State, was convicted after pleading guilty to the charges filed against him by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.
The court sentenced him to 35 years imprisonment each 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,” Justice Omotosho told the convict while delivering the judgment.
According to the charges, Garba and other suspects still at large conspired to plan and coordinate the bombing of Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja using explosive devices. The attack resulted in the deaths of over 70 persons and left several others with varying degrees of injuries.
The court held that the offences contravened Sections 17 and 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
In his confessional statement, Garba disclosed that he was engaged in selling tea and bread before becoming involved in the terrorist activities.
Justice Omotosho also convicted and sentenced several other defendants who pleaded guilty to separate terrorism charges.
Ali Mohammed, in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/1020/2026, received 25 years imprisonment on count one and 15 years on count two.
Isa Saleh was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in a one-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/973/2026, while Tujan Mohammed was also handed a 20-year jail term in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/954/2026.
Similarly, Salisu Bala was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on count two in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/963/2026, but was discharged and acquitted on counts one and three.
The trial, which is usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Speaking after the proceedings, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who led the prosecution team, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and related crimes across the country.
“We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” Fagbemi said.
