September 11, (THEWILL) — A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru, to 15 years imprisonment for engaging in illegal mining.
Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a Abbas or Mukhtar, was arraigned alongside his deputy, Mahmud Al-Nigeri (alias Malam Mamuda), by the Department of State Services (DSS) before Justice Emeka Nwite on a 32-count charge bordering on terrorism.
During his plea, Usman admitted to charges of operating illegal mining activities that were used to fund the purchase of arms for terrorism and kidnapping operations.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite convicted him and imposed a 15-year jail term.
However, the court ordered that he remain in DSS custody, as he still faces 31 other terrorism-related charges.
The matter was adjourned to October 21 for continuation of trial on the pending counts.
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