Court jails man 20 years over bandit cover-up

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years imprisonment after convicting him of terrorism-related offences for concealing information about a suspected notorious bandit, Danranmi.

Justice Emeka Nwite handed down the judgment on Monday, finding Sani guilty on two counts bordering on conspiracy and failure to disclose information that could have aided the arrest of the fugitive suspect.

According to the prosecution, Sani, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, conspired with Danranmi to conceal the latter’s activities despite allegedly knowing he supplied arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in Niger State.

The court heard that Sani failed to report the information to law enforcement agencies, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The prosecution also alleged that Sani received ₦580,000 from Danranmi for the purchase of 150 rounds of ammunition from a supplier identified as “Chairman,” knowing the ammunition was intended for use in terrorist activities.

Justice Nwite sentenced Sani to 20 years imprisonment without the option of a fine on the two counts for which he was convicted. The sentence will run from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest.

The court ordered that he serve the jail term at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian security agencies to prosecute individuals accused of aiding terrorism and banditry through financial support, logistics or by withholding information that could assist security authorities in preventing or investigating terrorist offences.