Judicial Ruling Marks Milestone in Terrorism Prosecutions
A Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a significant verdict on Thursday, sentencing five individuals to 25 years in prison each for their involvement in the November 21, 2025, terrorist attack on St. Joseph Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The swift sentencing appears to be one of the fastest terrorism trials in Nigeria’s history, presided over by Judge Binta Nyako shortly after the defendants, including two Nigerians, admitted guilt to all four terrorism-related charges against them. These charges involved aiding and abetting terrorism under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and the Firearms Act.
Details of the Charges Against the Defendants
The five accused are Yusuf Mohamnedo (also known as Batule), Goni Ibrahim Bindi (alias Goni Mtuwa), Sani Tukur (alias Danladi), Mubarak Ibrahin, and Musa Alhaji Adamu (alias Gad Banufe). They were apprehended by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives at various locations less than two weeks prior to the court proceedings. Notably, during one arrest, DSS agents seized a cache of 15 AK-47 rifles and 1,434 rounds of live ammunition hidden in a bag inside a Volkswagen Golf vehicle. The court has ordered the confiscation of the vehicle as evidence.
Attack on St. Joseph Catholic School
In the early hours of November 21, 2025, armed assailants on motorcycles stormed the St. Joseph Catholic School, where they held students and teachers at gunpoint. Despite the chaos, around 50 children managed to escape. However, more than 250 children were forcibly taken into the Kainji Lake Reserve, where they remained under duress for several days.
Individual Counts of the Charges
The charges against the defendants were articulated in multiple counts. Count 1 details the actions of Yusuf Mohamnedo and his co-defendants, who were accused of conspiring to transport firearms and ammunition from Diffa, intended for a known Boko Haram member, Mallam Ahmad. They were charged with violating Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Further Allegations and Accomplices
Count 2 reiterates the defendants’ roles in assisting terrorism by facilitating the transport of the same quantities of firearms and ammunition, which further solidified their involvement with terrorist activities. This count cites similar violations of the aforementioned act.
Evidence from the Prosecution
In Count 3, Goni Ibrahim Bindi and Sani Tukur are detailed as active participants who transported the firearms and ammunition hidden within a bag containing dried fish, driving a vehicle registered in the Niger Republic. Their actions are cited as violations against the Firearms Act of 2004, as laid out in Section 27(1).
Failure to Report Terrorist Activity
Count 4 specifically accused Yusuf Mohamnedo of failing to inform law enforcement about critical intelligence concerning Mallam Ahmad, an identified terrorist. His negligence in reporting such material assistance constitutes another violation under Section 16 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
