ISWAP Leader Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison as Ansaru Trial Set to Begin in January
A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Ismaila, a commander in the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), to 20 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism charges.
Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the verdict following Ismaila’s admission of guilt on a four-count indictment brought by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The court ruled that 15 years would apply for one count, while the remaining three counts each carried 20-year sentences, but all will run concurrently, starting from Ismaila’s arrest date of August 31, 2017.
In addition to the prison term, Justice Nwite ordered that upon completion of his sentence, Ismaila must undergo rehabilitation and deradicalization before reintegration into society.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the trial for two alleged Ansaru commanders has been adjourned to begin on January 15, 2026.
The defendants, Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (a.k.a. Mahmud Al‑Nigeri or Mallam Mamuda), are facing a 32-count terrorism indictment filed by the Federal Government.
During the court session, the defence counsel, B. I. Bakum, complained of limited access to the proof of evidence held by the DSS.
In response, Justice Nwite directed the defence lawyer to formally write to the DSS for visitation permission and to copy the prosecution on the correspondence.
The Ansaru charges against the two include financing terrorism, training in weapons and IED manufacturing, and executing high-profile attacks.