The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Halima Haliru Umar to 20 years imprisonment over offences linked to terrorism and illegal possession of ammunition.
Justice Hauwa Yilwa delivered the judgment after the defendant pleaded guilty to two counts bordering on unlawful possession of AK-47 ammunition and attempting to support terrorist activities.
Halima Umar was arrested in Plateau State by operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and later arraigned before the court on March 11, 2026.
According to court documents, the convict admitted guilt to counts three and four of a four-count charge filed against her by the DSS.
The prosecution accused her of unlawfully possessing 302 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and attempting to provide support for acts of terrorism.
During the proceedings, Justice Yilwa stated that the defendant voluntarily pleaded guilty during her arraignment and accepted the facts presented by the prosecution without challenging any evidence.
Following her conviction, defence counsel, Hamza Dantani, pleaded with the court to show mercy in sentencing his client.
The lawyer described Umar as a first-time offender who showed remorse throughout the trial process.
He also informed the court that the convict is a nursing mother caring for a one-year-old child who was arrested alongside her.
Dantani argued that his client did not waste the court’s time and appealed for a lighter sentence.
Counsel to the prosecution, Caliistus Eze, confirmed before the court that the DSS had no previous criminal record against the defendant.
After briefly suspending proceedings, Justice Yilwa returned and sentenced Umar to 20 years imprisonment on count three and one year imprisonment on count four.
The court also fixed July 9, 2026, for the continuation of trial on counts one and two, which the defendant denied.
The case remains one of the latest terrorism-related prosecutions handled by the Federal High Court in Abuja amid ongoing security concerns across Nigeria.
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