By Kamsi Anayo
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday sentenced the mother and sister of slain terrorist kingpin Kachallah Ibrahim Battujo to prison after they pleaded guilty to charges linked to supporting and concealing his terrorist activities.
The court handed Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi 20 years imprisonment on each of three counts, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently, meaning each woman will serve a total of 20 years.
Delivering judgment, Justice Hauwa Joseph Yilwa convicted the two women on counts relating to aiding, abetting and concealing acts of terrorism.
The charges were brought by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation under provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The court also directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation after completing their prison terms.
Court records showed that the prosecution filed a five-count charge against the defendants.
Safiya and Halima pleaded guilty to counts two, four and five, which accused them of assisting and concealing terrorism-related activities.
Following their guilty pleas, the court convicted them on those counts.
However, counts one and three, which alleged that they received N490,300 and sponsorship for a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from proceeds linked to terrorism, were struck out.
The case emerged from investigations conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS) into the network surrounding Battujo, a notorious terrorist and bandit leader.
