A Nigerian court has sentenced a former senatorial candidate to 10 years in prison for supplying fuel to the militant group Boko Haram.
Babagana Habeeb was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja after being found guilty of aiding and abetting terrorism.
The trial judge, Peter Lifu, said prosecutors had successfully proved their case, although he noted there was no evidence that Habeeb was a member of the group or had received weapons training.
Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri in Borno State, admitted in court that insurgents obtained petrol from his filling station. However, he said the transactions were carried out by his staff.
During the proceedings, he pleaded for leniency, telling the court he had been in detention for more than 10 years and had not been able to contact his family during that time.
Prosecutors argued that the fuel supplies played a significant role in enabling Boko Haram fighters to carry out attacks and escape, contributing to deaths and destruction.
The court acknowledged the length of time Habeeb had already spent in custody and ruled that his 10-year sentence would take effect from the date of his arrest.
This means he is expected to be released upon completion of formal procedures, after which he will undergo rehabilitation.
Boko Haram has waged an insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria for more than a decade, with authorities continuing efforts to disrupt its operations and support networks.
