A former senatorial candidate in Borno State, Babagana Habeeb, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Abuja for selling petroleum products to Boko Haram members. The court, presided over by Justice Peter Odo Lifu, convicted Habeeb on a single count of aiding and abetting terrorism. Habeeb, who operated as a fuel dealer in Maiduguri, pleaded guilty to the charge but claimed during sentencing that his employees might have conducted the transactions without his direct knowledge. He knelt throughout his appeal for leniency, citing over a decade in detention and separation from his two wives and six children. The Federal Government, represented by counsel David Kaswe, opposed leniency, arguing that the fuel supplied facilitated deadly attacks, resulting in loss of life and mass displacement. Kaswe stressed that logistical support such as fuel significantly enhanced the operational capacity of the insurgent group. Justice Lifu stated that while there was no evidence linking Habeeb to Boko Haram membership or training, the sale of fuel to the group constituted a criminal offense under Nigeria's terrorism laws. The prosecution did not dispute claims of prolonged pre-trial detention. Initially considering a 20-year sentence, the judge reduced the term to 10 years, effective from the date of Habeeb's initial detention.