A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Monday, sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to conceal information about an alleged notorious bandit, Danranmi, which led to his escape.
Sani, of Nabi Village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was convicted on Count 1 and Count 2 of a 4-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences.
According to the charge, Sani and Danranmi, who is now at large, allegedly conspired on or about 9 January 2023 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to conceal information that Danranmi was a notorious bandit who supplied arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits in and around Niger State.
The second count alleged that Sani had information that Danranmi was a notorious bandit who supplied arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits in and around Niger State, and that he knew the information would have been of material assistance in securing Danranmi’s apprehension for offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, but failed to disclose the information to any law enforcement or security officer as soon as was reasonably practicable.
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The third count alleged that Sani and Danranmi conspired to receive ₦580,000 from Danranmi for the purchase of 150 rounds of ammunition from a man identified as Chairman, having reasonable grounds to believe the ammunition would be used, in whole or in part, to commit an offence under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The fourth count alleged that Sani received the ₦580,000 from Danranmi for the purchase of the 150 rounds of ammunition from Chairman, having reasonable grounds to believe the ammunition would be used, in whole or in part, to commit an offence under the Act.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nwite sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine on Count One and Count Two, with the sentence to take effect from 11 January 2023, the date of his arrest.
The Court ordered that Sani should serve the prison term at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
According to a security source, the conviction is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute those who enable banditry and terrorism financing by withholding useful intelligence around the country.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
