A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment for concealing information about a notorious bandit, Danranmi, an offence that enabled the suspect to evade arrest.
In a judgment on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted Sani on counts one and two of the charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS), reports The Nation.
Justice Nwite then sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, without the option of a fine.
The judge directed that the sentence run concurrently from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest.
The court ordered that Sani serve his jail term at Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Sani, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was convicted on two counts of terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The DSS arrested and prosecuted Sani on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, failure to disclose information on a suspected terrorist, and alleged involvement in the procurement of ammunition for criminal elements.
According to the prosecution, Sani conspired with Danranmi, who remains at large, to conceal information that the fugitive was a notorious bandit involved in supplying arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in and around Niger State.
The prosecution further told the court that Sani knowingly failed to report information that could have assisted security agencies in apprehending Danranmi, contrary to the provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Additional charges alleged that Sani conspired with the fugitive to receive ₦580,000 for the purchase of 150 rounds of ammunition from a supplier identified as “Chairman,” with reasonable grounds to believe the ammunition would be used to facilitate terrorist activities.
