A former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling petrol to Boko Haram insurgents.
Habeeb, who contested the 2015 election, was convicted on Friday by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism.
Trial judge Peter Lifu held that the Federal Government had successfully proved its case against the defendant.
The court heard that Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri, admitted that insurgents obtained fuel from his station, though he claimed the transactions were carried out by his attendants.
During the proceedings, the convict knelt before the court, pleading for leniency and citing his family responsibilities, including two wives and six children. He also told the court that he had spent over 10 years in detention without contact with his family.
Prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe of the Federal Ministry of Justice, opposed the plea, arguing that the logistical support provided by Habeeb contributed to deadly attacks, destruction of property, and loss of lives.
Kaswe urged the court to impose a 20-year sentence, stressing that the terrorists relied on fuel supplies to power motorcycles used in launching attacks and escaping into remote areas.
In his judgment, Justice Lifu noted that there was no evidence linking Habeeb directly to membership of Boko Haram or to weapons training, adding that the sole offence established was the sale of fuel to the insurgents.
The judge also observed that the prosecution did not dispute the defendant’s claim of spending over a decade in pre-trial detention.
Consequently, the court sentenced Habeeb to 10 years’ imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest. It further ordered his release upon completion of the term, directing that he undergo extensive rehabilitation.
