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The federal high court in Abuja has sentenced one Muhammad Sani to 20 years imprisonment for withholding information about the activities of an alleged notorious bandit.
In January 2023, Sani was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences.
According to the charge sheet, the DSS alleged that Sani concealed information about a notorious bandit identified as Danranmi, who allegedly supplies arms and ammunition in Niger state, which led to the suspect’s escape.
“That you Muhammad Sani, Male, of Nabi Village Shiroro LGA, Niger State on or about the 9th of January, 2023 at Lafia, Nasarawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court had information that one Danranmi is a notorious bandit who supplies arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits in and around Niger State which you knew would have been of material assistance in securing his apprehension for offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and failed to disclose such information to any law enforcement or security officer as soon as reasonably practicable. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(b)of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022,” part of the charge sheet reads.
“That you Muhammad Sani, Male, of Nabi Village Shiroro LGA, Niger State on or about the 9th of January, 2023 at Lafia, Nassarawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did receive the sum of Five Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira (N580,000) from one Danranmi, for the purchase of One Hundred and Fifty rounds of ammunition (150) from one Chairman having reasonable grounds to believe that it will be used in full or in part to commit an offence under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.”
Emeka Nwite, the trial judge, convicted Sani on counts one and two of the four count-charge.
Nwite sentenced Sani to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine on counts one and two.
The sentence will take effect from his date of arrest, which is January 11, 2023. He is to serve the term at the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja.
