A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the hanging of 37-year-old Zakaria Garba for his part in the 2014 bombing at Nyanya motor park that claimed more than 70 lives and injured many others.
Justice James Omotsoho delivered the sentence on Friday during a special mass trial for terrorism suspects. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the judge also gave Garba life imprisonment on one charge and 35 years in prison each on two other charges. Garba admitted to all five counts brought against him by the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Court documents showed that Garba and other accomplices who remain free plotted the April 2014 explosion at Nyanya park, located on the boundary between Abuja and Nasarawa State. The attack hit the busy terminal during morning rush hour, leaving at least 70 people dead and several more with injuries.
Garba told the court he once earned a living selling tea and bread before he joined the bombing plot. He was found guilty under the Terrorism Prevention Act for planning the attack, detonating explosives, and taking part in an act of terrorism that led to mass casualties.
“May God have mercy on you,” Justice Omotsoho said as he pronounced the death sentence.
Four other suspects who also pleaded guilty received prison terms. Ali Mohammed was sentenced to 25 years and 15 years on two separate counts. Isa Saleh and Tujan Mohammed each got 20 years on one count. Salisu Bala was given 20 years on one charge but was cleared on two others.
This round of trials was held at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Earlier sessions took place at the military detention facility in Kainji, Niger State, where terrorism suspects from different parts of the country are kept.
Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, led the prosecution. He said the federal government will not relent in its push to end terrorism. “We will fight with every inch of our blood to ensure that we make Nigeria a safe haven for everybody,” he stated.