News

JUST IN: Court Jails Woman 20 Years for Possessing AK-47 Ammo, Terrorism Support

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2026

Preport

A Federal High Court in Abuja has handed down a heavy prison sentence to a female terrorism convict, locking her away for the next two decades.

Halima Haliru Umar will spend 20 years behind bars following her conviction for illegally carrying war-grade ammunition and attempting to aid terrorist activities in the country.

The presiding judge, Justice Hauwa Yilwa, delivered the judgment after the convict chose to admit to the core components of the charges preferred against her by the state.

Umar was initially intercepted and taken into custody by operatives of the Department of State Services in Plateau State.

Following her arrest, the secret police filed a four-count charge against her, touching on terrorism support and illegal possession of firearms.

When she was brought before the court for her formal arraignment on March 11, the defendant decided not to prolong the legal process. She entered a guilty plea to counts three and four of the criminal charge.

These specific counts centered on her being caught with 302 rounds of live ammunition meant for an AK-47 assault rifle, alongside her deliberate attempts to provide logistical or material backing to terrorist networks.

Reviewing the judicial proceedings, Justice Yilwa emphasized that Umar’s decision to plead guilty on her first day of arraignment carried legal consequences.

The judge noted that by admitting guilt to the third and fourth counts, the defendant had legally accepted the facts of the crime as presented by the prosecution team. Consequently, she forfeited her right to mount a defense or challenge the evidence brought by the government.

Before the final sentence was handed down, the defense counsel, Hamza Dantani, made a passionate plea to the bench for judicial leniency. He urged the court to consider that his client was a first-time offender who had shown immediate remorse for her actions.

Dantani also stressed that she saved the court’s time by entering an early guilty plea rather than dragging out the trial.

Furthermore, the defense lawyer informed the court that the convict is a nursing mother. He revealed that her one-year-old infant was actually with her in custody at the time of her arrest by the secret police. Based on these humanitarian grounds, he begged the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing.

On his part, the prosecution counsel, Callistus Eze, did not oppose the claim regarding her clean record. He confirmed to the court that the state had no prior criminal record or past convictions listed against the defendant.

After listening to the arguments from both legal teams, Justice Yilwa rose for a brief recess to deliberate on the appropriate punishment. Upon her return to the courtroom, she pronounced the final sentence, slamming Umar with a 20-year jail term for the third count and a one-year sentence for the fourth count.

However, the legal battles are not entirely over for the convict. Justice Yilwa subsequently fixed July 9 for the commencement of full trial regarding counts one and two of the charge sheet. Umar had previously pleaded not guilty to these remaining counts, forcing the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt when the court reconvenes.

Related Topics:AK47 Ammo Court Jails Possessing Support Terrorism woman years

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Nigerian Newspaper Sports Headlines Today – Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Published

16 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

Preport

WhatsApp Image 2026 06 26 at 9.54.50 AM.jpeg

From passionate fans gathering at newspaper stands every morning to catch up on the latest sports stories to lively viewing centres where supporters cheer their favourite teams, sports continue to unite Nigerians through shared passion and excitement.

Here are the biggest sports headlines making the front pages of Nigeria’s leading newspapers today.

Sporting Life

Zimbabwe’s, Bafana’s Draws Cost Nigeria

Chelle says: ‘Those two dropped points hurt us’

Did Portugal Make A Mistake With Ronaldo?

Martinelli’s Last-Gasp Strike Sends Selecao To Round Of 16

Germany Out Of The World Cup

France Vs Sweden: Thuram Out Of Round Of 32 Clash

Barcelona Open Shock Talks To Sign Kane

Maduka Okoye Attracts Besiktas’ Interest

Akpokona’s Death Shakes Sunshine Stars’ Management

Coventry City Sign Onyeka

Caicedo Named As Ecuador’s New Captain

Eric Chelle Highlights: Lookman Was Aware I Was Watching

Wright, Neville Tear Into Saka

Daily Sun

Chelle Vows To Keep Watch On Super Eagles Players

Man City Appoints Maresca As New Manager

FIBA World Cup Qualifiers: D’Tigers Recall Five, 12-Man Squad Unveiled

CAF Ag. Secretary-General Hails NFF Legacy Projects

DavNotch Announces Prize Money Increase For Annual Tournament

Fortune FA Reigns Supreme In Epic U-13 Cup Final

Golf: Otu Dedicates June Monthly Mug Triumph To Udo

Vanguard

Chelle Hurts By Nigeria’s Missed World Cup Dream

Amusan Wins Paris Diamond League 100m Hurdles

Besiktas Join Juventus In Race For Okoye

World Cup Qualifiers: Metu, Okoye, Agada Return Boost D’Tigers

Nigerians Celebrate South Africa W/Cup Exit

Maresca: Man City Pay £17m To Chelsea

World Cup Exit: Saudi Arabia Federation Chief Quits

Daily Trust

2026 W’Cup: Brazil Come From Behind To Knockout Japan

Man City Hire Maresca To Start New Era After Guardiola

Besiktas Set €8m Price Tag For Ndidi Amid Dutch, Saudi, EPL Interest

Yabatech Sports Complex To Host Dynamic Athletics Meet

Punch

CAF Opens Race For Substantive Secretary-General Role

DavNotch Increases National Tennis Tourney Prize Money

Brazil Leave It Late To Eliminate Japan

The Nation

Kalou Faults FIFA On World Cup Hydration Break

Last-Gasp Brazil Edge Japan To Reach Last 16

Fae: Elephants To Play With Hearts In Norway Test

DavNotch Raises Prize Money For Annual Tennis Championship

Man City Hire Enzo Maresca

Badamasi Hails NFF Over Hostel, Training Pitch Project

Eyes On Serena At Wimbledon Return

Standard Times

EPL: Manchester City Appoint Enzo Maresca As New Manager

South Korea Fans Boo Outgoing Coach Hong After World Cup Exit

World Cup: Brazil Fight Back With Stoppage-Time Winner To Eliminate Japan

Cape Verde Captain Faces Rape Investigation

FIFA World Cup

Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 and book a place in the Round of 16 through Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner.

Paraguay knocked Germany out on penalties to qualify for the Round of 16.

France will face Sweden after Marcus Thuram was ruled out of the Round of 32 clash.

Portugal’s handling of Cristiano Ronaldo continues to dominate debate after their latest World Cup outing.

Nigeria’s World Cup qualification hopes ended after costly draws against Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Transfer Watch

Maduka Okoye: Besiktas join the race for the Super Eagles goalkeeper.

Wilfred Ndidi: Besiktas set an €8 million valuation amid interest from Dutch, Saudi and Premier League clubs.

Harry Kane: Barcelona open shock talks to sign the England captain.

David Onyeka: Coventry City complete a permanent move.

Enzo Maresca: Officially appointed Manchester City manager.

Sports247 Take

Tuesday’s newspaper headlines are dominated by Brazil’s dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Japan, with Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner sending the Selecao into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. On the domestic scene, Eric Chelle’s reaction to Nigeria’s failed World Cup qualification, Tobi Amusan’s Diamond League triumph, and fresh transfer interest in Maduka Okoye and Wilfred Ndidi feature prominently across the back pages. Off the pitch, Manchester City’s appointment of Enzo Maresca, CAF’s Secretary-General race, and DavNotch’s increased prize money for its annual tennis tournament also make today’s newspaper headlines.

News

PDP frowns at APC govt’s house gifts for judges

Published

48 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

Preport

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says judicial interventions have consistently thrown opposition political parties into internal turmoil, fracturing alternative platforms and systematically neutralizing dissent ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The PDP made this remark in a statement posted on its official X handle on Tuesday, frowning at what it described as the benevolent patronage of the executive arm of government by gifting ultra-modern residential quarters and court complexes to senior judges.

According to the PDP, while judicial officers undeniably deserve world-class welfare, wrapping the public projects in partisan fanfare transforms a constitutional right into a spectacle of political patronage.

“Instead of acting as a stabilizing force, judicial interventions have consistently thrown opposition political parties into internal turmoil, fracturing alternative platforms and systematically neutralizing dissent ahead of 2027.

“When the executive positions itself as a “benevolent patron” providing houses to the judges who will preside over high-stakes election petitions and constitutional disputes, the appearance of neutrality vanishes. He who pays the piper inevitably dictates the tune.

“The consequences of this cozy relationship are already playing out across Nigeria’s political landscape. The courts have increasingly mutated into a theatre of contradictory injunctions and judgments by error,” the PDP said.