A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, July 13, sentenced Muhammad Sani to twenty years in prison for conspiring to hide information about Danranmi, an alleged notorious bandit, which resulted in his escape.
Sani, who resides in Nabi Village, Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State, was found guilty on Count One and Count Two of a four-count charge related to terrorism offences.
The charges stated that Sani and Danranmi, who is currently at large, conspired on or about January 9, 2023, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to conceal information indicating that Danranmi is a notorious bandit who supplies arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits in and around Niger State.
This act was against Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 16(1)(b) of the same Act.
Count Two alleged that Sani had knowledge that Danranmi is a notorious bandit who provides arms and ammunition to criminals in the area, but failed to report this information to law enforcement or security officers as soon as possible.
This was also an offence under Section 16(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
Count Three stated that Sani and Danranmi conspired to receive N580,000 from Danranmi to buy 150 rounds of ammunition from a chairman, with reasonable grounds to believe the ammunition would be used to commit an offence under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
This was also an offence under Section 26(1) of the same Act and punishable under Section 21.
Count Four claimed that Sani received N580,000 from Danranmi to purchase 150 rounds of ammunition from a chairman, with a belief that the ammunition would be used for a crime under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
This was an offence under Section 21 of the Act.
Justice Nwite sentenced Sani to twenty years in prison without the option of a fine for Counts One and Two, with the sentence starting from his arrest date, January 11, 2023.
Sani is to serve his sentence at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
A security source noted that this conviction is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute individuals who enable banditry and terrorism financing by withholding crucial intelligence across the country.
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