A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 37-year-old man, Zakaria Garba, to death by hanging for his involvement in the 2014 Nyanya Motor Park bomb explosions. The attack resulted in the deaths of no fewer than 70 people and left several others with varying degrees of injuries.
Judgment Details
Justice James Omotsoho, delivering the judgment in the just-concluded Abuja mass trial of suspected terrorists, also handed down a life imprisonment sentence to Mr Garba on another count of the five-count charge. The judge convicted the defendant after he pleaded guilty to all five counts preferred against him by the Federal Government.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judgment was delivered on Tuesday in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/985/2026, filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice. Justice Omotosho sentenced Mr Garba to a 35-year jail term each on counts one and two, life imprisonment on count three, and death sentences on counts four and five. “May God have mercy on you,” the judge remarked.
Details of the Charges
NAN reports that on count three, which attracted life imprisonment, Garba of Jambutu Park, Jimeta Local Government Area of Adamawa, and others still at large, were alleged to have, sometime in 2014 at Nyanya Motor Park, FCT Abuja, committed the offence. They knowingly conspired “to commit acts of terrorism by planning and coordinating the bombing of Nyanya Motor Park, Abuja through the use of explosive devices, which bombing resulted in the death of over 70 persons and injured several others.” This offence is punishable under Section 17 of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.
Count four, which also carried the death penalty, involved the terrorist—who stated in his confessional statement that he used to sell tea and bread—and others still at large. They were alleged to have “knowingly and intentionally caused the detonation of explosive devices at Nyanya Motor Park with intent to cause death and serious bodily harm to members of the public, which act resulted in over 70 persons’ death and injuries to several others.” This offence is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.
Count five, also attracting the death penalty, accused the convict and others at large of having, sometime in 2014 at Nyanya Motor Park, “participated in an act of terrorism which caused the death of over 70 persons by detonating explosives.” The charge stated that this constituted an offence punishable under Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013.
Other Sentences Handed Down
Justice Omotosho also imposed various prison terms on other terrorists who pleaded guilty to separate terrorism charges. Ali Mohammed, in charge number FHC/KNJ/CR/1020/2026, received a 25-year jail term on count one and a 15-year imprisonment on count two. Isa Saleh was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on a one-count charge marked FHC/KNJ/CR/973/2026. Tujan Mohammed, in charge FHC/KNJ/CR/954/2026, also received a 20-year jail term on the single count preferred by the Federal Government. For Salisu Bala, the judge convicted and sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment on count two but discharged and acquitted him on counts one and three in charge FHC/KNJ/CR/963/2026.
Trial Location and Government Stance
NAN reports that the trial, which usually takes place at Kainji in Niger State, was moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja. The AGF, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who led the Federal Government’s prosecution team, stated that the government is determined to stamp out terrorism and related activities from the country. “We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” Fagbemi declared.
