Court jails ex‑senatorial candidate 10 years for aiding terrorism

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria, 11 April 2026 (Agency Report) — The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced former Borno senatorial candidate, Babagana Habeeb, to 10 years’ imprisonment for aiding terrorism.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Peter Lifu convicted Habeeb on a one‑count charge filed by the Federal Government, which centred on aiding and abetting terrorist activities through the supply of petroleum products to insurgents.

Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri, pleaded guilty to selling fuel in the North‑East region but claimed that his station attendants may have carried out the transactions without his direct involvement. During proceedings, he pleaded for leniency, kneeling in the dock and appealing to the court for mercy, citing his two wives, six children, and over a decade in detention without contact with his family.

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Prosecuting counsel, Mr David Kaswe, opposed the plea, urging the court to impose a 20‑year sentence. He argued that the fuel supplies enabled insurgents’ mobility during attacks and facilitated their escape into remote areas.

Justice Lifu, however, held that there was no evidence linking Habeeb to membership or training within the terrorist group, noting that the sole offence established was the sale of fuel to insurgents. He also observed that the prosecution did not dispute the claim of prolonged detention.

Consequently, Habeeb was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, with the court ordering that the term should take effect from the date of his arrest and detention. The judge further directed that the convict be released immediately after signing his release warrant to enable rehabilitation.