A Federal High Court in Abuja has convicted Mahmud Usman, a commander of the proscribed Ansaru sect, and sentenced him to 15 years in prison for

terrorism-related offences.
 

Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas, or Mukhtar, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of engaging in illegal mining and channeling the proceeds to procure arms for terrorist and kidnapping operations.

Delivering judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered that Usman remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial on 31 additional counts filed against him.

Usman, who styled himself as the “Emir of Ansaru,” appeared in court alongside his deputy and chief of staff, Mahmud al-Nigeri, popularly called Malam Mamuda. Both face a 32-count indictment accusing them of leading a terrorist organisation, financing its activities, recruiting fighters, and coordinating violent attacks across Nigeria.