A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging for his role in the deadly 2014 Nyanya Motor Park bombing that claimed more than 70 lives and left several others injured.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho convicted Garba after he pleaded guilty to a five-count terrorism charge filed by the Federal Government. The court imposed varying penalties, including two death sentences, life imprisonment, and prison terms on separate counts.
Garba received 35 years imprisonment each on counts one and two, life imprisonment on count three, and death by hanging on counts four and five.
The court found that Garba and other suspects still at large conspired to carry out the bombing at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja using explosive devices, resulting in mass casualties and injuries. The offences were prosecuted under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
According to court documents, the convict participated in planning and coordinating the attack and was directly involved in the detonation of explosives that caused the deaths of over 70 people.
Justice Omotosho also sentenced several other terrorism suspects who pleaded guilty to separate charges during the ongoing terrorism trials.
Ali Mohammed was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on one count and 15 years on another, while Isa Saleh and Tujan Mohammed each received 20-year jail terms.
In a separate case, Salisu Bala was convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on one count but was discharged and acquitted on two other counts.
The trial, which is usually conducted in Kainji, Niger State, was held at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Speaking after the proceedings, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the safety of Nigerians.
He said the government would continue to take decisive measures against terrorism and related crimes across the country.
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