A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, April 10, 2026, sentenced Babagana Habeeb, a former 2015 senatorial candidate in Borno State, to 10 years imprisonment for supplying petrol to Boko Haram insurgents.
Delivering judgment, Justice Peter Lifu held that Habeeb was guilty of aiding and abetting terrorism after he admitted that fuel from his filling station in Maiduguri was sold to the insurgent group.
Habeeb, a fuel dealer, pleaded guilty during his arraignment but told the court that the transactions may have been carried out by his attendants without his direct involvement.
He also appealed for leniency, saying he had spent more than 10 years in detention without access to his family. He told the court he has two wives and six children.
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Prosecuting counsel, David Kaswe, opposed the plea for mercy, arguing that logistical support such as fuel supply enabled Boko Haram to carry out attacks, including the use of motorcycles for rapid movement and escape. He urged the court to impose a 20-year sentence.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that there was no evidence that the convict was a member of Boko Haram or trained in arms handling, noting that the charge was strictly based on the supply of petrol to the group.
The court further observed that the prosecution did not dispute Habeeb’s claim of prolonged pre-trial detention.
Justice Lifu consequently sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment, ordering that the sentence take effect from the date of arrest and detention.
The court also directed that he be released upon completion of the sentence term, in line with legal provisions for custody already served.