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By Oscar Okhifo
A former 2015 senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja for his role in supplying petroleum products to members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered the judgment on Friday, finding Habeeb guilty on a lone-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism filed by the Federal Government.
The court heard that Habeeb, a Maiduguri-based fuel dealer, supplied petroleum products to Boko Haram members, providing material support that facilitated the group’s operations in the North-East.
During trial, Habeeb admitted selling fuel to the insurgents but told the court that the transactions were not directly authorised by him, claiming they may have been handled by his attendants “without my direct approval or knowledge.”
He also pleaded for leniency, telling the court he had spent over a decade in detention without contact with his family and described himself as “a husband of two wives and father of six children.”
The prosecution, however, urged the court to reject his plea, arguing that the supply of fuel to Boko Haram operatives “significantly aided their attacks and worsened insecurity in affected communities.”
Delivering judgment, Justice Lifu held that while there was no evidence linking the convict to direct membership of Boko Haram or weapons training, the prosecution had proved that he provided logistical support to the group through fuel supply.
The court sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest and detention, and ordered his release upon completion of administrative processes to enable him undergo rehabilitation.