The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two senior members of the Ansaru terrorist group to life imprisonment after they admitted to multiple terrorism-related offences.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgement on Monday, convicting Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar, described as the group’s self-proclaimed emir, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, also known as Mahmud al-Nigeri or Malam Mamuda.
The pair changed their plea from not guilty to guilty on all 32 charges filed against them by the Department of State Services (DSS), prompting the court to enter convictions on every count
While delivering the sentence, Justice Nwite said he had taken into account the plea for mercy made by defence counsel Bala Dakum and the personal appeal presented by Usman.
The court imposed life imprisonment on both men for counts 30 and 31, which relate to financing terrorism through proceeds from illegal mining and ransom payments. They were also sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine on the remaining terrorism counts. The jail terms are to run concurrently from the date of their arrest.
Abba received an additional 15-year sentence, while Usman was also handed a 15-year term on a separate count relating to illegal mining used to finance terrorism
The two men were first arraigned in September 2025 after their arrest in separate DSS operations carried out between May and July that year. They initially denied all allegations, although Usman admitted one count linked to illegal mining. On Monday, however, both defendants withdrew their earlier pleas and accepted responsibility for every charge.
Addressing the court, defence lawyer Dakum said the decision to plead guilty followed consultations with his clients
After having consultation with the defendants my lord, they have agreed and are ready to change their plea and we apply that the charge be ready to them accordingly,” he said.
The prosecution, led by David Kaswe, did not oppose the application and urged the court to convict the defendants under Section 274 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Kaswe argued that the guilty plea left no doubt about their culpability.
“I urge this honourable court to draw strenght from the ACJA, 2015, I just cited and the apex court’s decision also cited and convict the defendants on all the 32 counts on the charge sheet filed by the prosecution.
This is our humble application my lord,”
In a plea for leniency, Dakum said the convicts had accepted responsibility for their crimes and expressed genuine remorse.
“However, they have come to the court in honest show of remorse and accepatnce of full responsibility for their actions,” he said.
He urged the court to exercise mercy, noting that Usman was 50 years old, had 19 children and suffered from arthritis.
“The first convict (Usman) is a 50-year-old man and have 19 children.”
Dakum added that Usman wished to return to school and rebuild his life.
He also appealed on behalf of Abba.
“The second convict (Abba) is a 34-years-old man with three children and a wife
He is also suffering from arthritis and he is the bread winner of their family.”
The lawyer further told the court that both men claimed they had been forced into terrorism and were now willing to support security agencies with intelligence.
“The convicts informed me of their willingness to provide the security agencies with intelligence and information about anything relating with terrorism in Nigeria; their network, financing, intelligence, etc.
“Why they are not justifying their actions this morning, they are willing to support the security agencies.”
Usman also addressed the court personally, asking for compassion.
He said their decision to plead guilty was intended to save the court’s time and reflected their remorse.
“I am a man who has 19 children and I have been suffering this health condition (arthritis),” he said.
“I am pleading my lord, under your mercy, to please assist me in our situation. I am pleading seriously,” he begged.
According to the charges, the two men financed terrorism through illegal mining and kidnapping for ransom, fabricated improvised explosive devices, coordinated sleeper cells and maintained links with Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups operating across the Sahel and Maghreb.
The prosecution also linked them to several high-profile attacks and kidnappings, including the 2022 attack on the Nigerian Army’s Wawa Cantonment in Kainji, the 2013 abduction of French engineer Francis Collomp, the kidnapping of traditional rulers and the 2022 Kuje prison attack, during which more than 600 inmates escaped.
The DSS alleged that proceeds from mining activities and ransom payments were used to procure arms and explosives, forming the basis of the counts that attracted life imprisonment.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, had previously described the two men as key figures behind the Kuje prison break and said they operated networks stretching into Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
The DSS also alleged that the pair coordinated terrorist operations across several parts of Nigeria and maintained close ties with extremist groups operating beyond the country’s borders.
