The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced two women, Safiya Salihu and Halima Abdullahi, to 40 years imprisonment each for terrorism-related offences linked to the activities of a suspected terrorist and bandit kingpin, Ibrahim Battujo.

The judgment was delivered on Friday by Justice Hauwa Yilwa after the two women pleaded guilty to several counts contained in a five-count charge filed against them by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The convicts are the mother and sister of Ibrahim Battujo, a suspected terrorist leader who was killed by Nigerian security forces on June 10, 2026, during an operation in a forest near Iluke in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to the prosecution, both women admitted to aiding and abetting Battujo’s activities by passing information to him through telephone conversations, despite knowing he was a notorious bandit kingpin.

The charge stated that the offences contravened Section 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Oyedepo Rotimi (SAN), informed the court that the defendants had accepted responsibility for some of the charges and urged the court to strike out counts one and three.

Count one alleged that the women received ₦490,300 from Battujo while knowing the money constituted proceeds of terrorism, while count three accused them of undertaking a sponsored pilgrimage funded with proceeds of terrorist activities.

The court subsequently struck out the two counts and proceeded to convict the defendants on the remaining charges to which they pleaded guilty.

Safiya Salihu, Battujo’s mother, was convicted for aiding and abetting terrorism activities and for concealing information relating to her son’s terrorist operations.

Halima Abdullahi, Battujo’s sister, was convicted for aiding and abetting terrorism activities and for concealing information about firearms illegally acquired by her brother, which she reportedly saw during a visit to his forest camp.

Justice Yilwa sentenced each of the women to 20 years imprisonment on each count of conviction. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning they will serve the terms simultaneously rather than consecutively.

In addition to the prison terms, the court directed that both convicts undergo rehabilitation after serving their sentences.

The judgment highlights ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to prosecute not only individuals directly involved in terrorism but also those found to have supported, facilitated, or concealed information relating to terrorist activities.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a man, Paul Jibrin Oweleke, in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) over alleged cybercrime offences linked to social media broadcasts calling for the removal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office.

Oweleke was arraigned before Justice Akintoye Aluko on a two-count charge bordering on alleged incitement and the use of a computer system to circulate content considered harmful to national security and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

According to the DSS, the defendant used his online platform, “Oweleke TV,” to publish broadcasts allegedly urging the Nigerian military to overthrow President Tinubu in a manner similar to military takeovers witnessed in some West African countries.

The security agency told the court that the broadcasts were capable of inciting public unrest, encouraging disaffection against the government, and undermining democratic governance in the country.

When the charges were read to him, Oweleke pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, counsel for the DSS requested that the defendant be remanded pending the commencement of trial.

However, the defence counsel informed the court that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.

After hearing both parties, Justice Aluko adjourned the case until June 16, 2026, for the hearing and determination of the bail application.

The court further ordered that Oweleke remain in DSS custody pending the outcome of the bail proceedings.

The case comes barely two months after the Federal Government arraigned six other suspects over allegations of plotting to overthrow President Tinubu’s administration.

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the interim forfeiture of nine properties allegedly linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the order following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The court held that the properties, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, should be temporarily forfeited to the Federal Government pending the determination of a motion for final forfeiture.

Justice Egwuatu also directed the EFCC to publish the interim forfeiture order in at least two national newspapers within seven days of receiving the certified true copy of the ruling. Interested parties were given 14 days to appear before the court and show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.

The case was adjourned until May 25 for a compliance report.

According to the EFCC counsel, Oluwaleke Atolagbe, the commission sought the order on the grounds that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.

The affected properties are located in Abuja districts including Maitama, Wuse, Garki, Mpape, and Dakibiyu.

The properties include residential apartments, duplexes, terraces, and office complexes, including a structure currently occupied by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Sylva has also been linked to allegations surrounding a failed coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, although no formal charge has been filed against him in relation to the allegation.