Court Grants Kabiru Sokoto 21 Days to Appeal Madalla Bombing Conviction

• •Kabiru Sokoto has been granted 21 days to appeal his life sentence for the 2011 bombing.
• •The bombing killed at least 37 people and injured over 50, leaving many survivors traumatized.
• •Survivors criticize the Nigerian government for prioritizing rehabilitation of terrorists over support for victims.

On August 20, 2026, Nigeria's Court of Appeal granted Kabiru Sokoto a 21-day extension to appeal his life sentence for the 2011 Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Madalla, which killed at least 37 people. Survivors express frustration as the legal system prioritizes the rights of convicted terrorists over the needs of victims. The bombing, attributed to Boko Haram, left many civilians traumatized and displaced, with survivors like Williams Amobi highlighting the ongoing neglect of victims. The court's decision does not overturn Sokoto's conviction but allows him to challenge it, citing delays due to his incarceration and the deaths of his lawyers. This ruling has reignited discussions about the treatment of terror victims in Nigeria and the government's focus on rehabilitating former militants rather than supporting survivors.