A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a Niger State man, Muhammad Sani, to 20 years imprisonment for conspiring to shield a notorious bandit and for withholding information that could have led to his arrest.
Justice Emeka Nwite, on Monday, convicted Sani of Nabi Village, Shiroro LGA, Niger State, on Count One and Count Two of a four-count charge filed by the Department of State Services, DSS.
The court held that on or about January 9, 2023 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Sani conspired with Danranmi — now at large — to conceal information that Danranmi was a notorious bandit supplying arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in and around Niger State.
He was also found guilty of failing to disclose the information to any law enforcement or security agency “as soon as reasonably practicable,” an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Sani also faced charges for allegedly conspiring with Danranmi to receive N580,000* for the purchase of *150 rounds of ammunition from one “Chairman,” with knowledge that it would be used to commit terrorism-related offences.
While Justice Nwite did not convict on Counts Three and Four, he sentenced Sani to 20 years in prison without the option of fine on Counts One and Two.
The sentence takes effect from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest by the DSS. He is to serve his term at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.
A security source said the conviction forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute not just bandits and terrorists, but also those who enable them by hiding intelligence or facilitating logistics.
“Those who shield criminals and finance terrorism will face the full weight of the law,” the source stated.
Danranmi remains at large.
