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The Federal High Court in Jos on Thursday sentenced each of the 15
persons who participated in the violent crisis in Jos on March 8 to 15
years in prison.

The convicts, all from Kadunung in Mangu Local
Government Area, were found guilty on three counts of conspiracy,
possession of fire arms and acts of terrorism.

The convicts were
arrested with dangerous weapons on March 8. Delivering judgment,
Justice A. L. Allagoa, said the prosecution counsel, Charles Maduenyi,
proved beyond reasonable doubt that the suspects were guilty of the offences.

“Considering
the evidence before this honourable court, the accused are guilty as
charged. Jos crisis has left several people maimed and killed and
several others wounded while property worth millions of naira were
destroyed. It has caused Nigeria a lot of embarrassment before the
international community.

“These perpetrators of the crisis,
which the hands of the law have now caught up with, are guilty of the
crime levelled against them,” Mr. Allagoa said.

He sentenced each of the people to two years on the first charge, one year on the second and 10 years each for the third count charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Maduenyi, said after the judgment that he was satisfied with the decision.

“I
believe this judgment will serve as a deterrent to those who think that
Jos is an environment of lawlessness. Our criminal laws and justice
will catch up with anyone who thinks he can disrupt the peace of the
state at will.

“I also hope that this judgment will help to
restore peace on the Plateau,” Mr. Maduenyi said. Ahmed Gabba, the
defence counsel, said “we feel that sentencing the accused to 10 years
imprisonment in a situation that could be life imprisonment was okay.

“We
are not thinking of appeal now but we will study the judgment and see
whether there is a possibility. But as of now, we are satisfied.” He
said.