A Federal High Court has sentenced the mother and sister of two convicted terrorist kingpins to 40 years imprisonment each for financing terrorism and supporting the operations of outlawed insurgent groups.
The convictions followed their arraignment before a special terrorism court handling cases involving suspected members and collaborators of terrorist organisations operating in Nigeria. The prosecution established that the women knowingly provided financial and logistical support to the terrorists, enabling their activities over an extended period.
The court found both defendants guilty after reviewing evidence presented by the prosecution, including financial transactions and other materials linking them to the terrorist network.
The judge ruled that their actions contributed significantly to sustaining the operations of the insurgent group and therefore warranted severe punishment.
In delivering judgment, the court imposed 40-year prison terms on each of the convicts, stressing that anyone who aids or finances terrorism must face the full weight of the law, regardless of family ties to those directly involved in terrorist activities.
The ruling forms part of the ongoing mass terrorism trials coordinated by the Federal Government to prosecute individuals accused of terrorism-related offences, including financing, recruitment, logistics, concealment, and direct participation in attacks.
Authorities described the judgment as another milestone in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, noting that dismantling financial support networks remains crucial to weakening terrorist organisations and improving national security.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all individuals found guilty of supporting terrorism are prosecuted in accordance with the law, while continuing efforts to combat insurgency and protect lives and property across the country.
