A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years in prison for concealing information about an alleged notorious bandit, Danranmi, an act that authorities said enabled the suspect to evade arrest.
Sani, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was convicted on Counts One and Two of a four-count charge bordering on terrorism-related offences.
According to the charge, Sani and Danranmi, who remains at large, conspired on or about January 9, 2023, in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to conceal information that Danranmi was a notorious bandit allegedly involved in supplying arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in and around Niger State.
The prosecution said the offence contravened Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and is punishable under Section 16(1)(b) of the same Act.
On the second count, the court found that Sani had knowledge of Danranmi’s alleged activities but failed to disclose information that could have aided his arrest to law enforcement or security agencies, contrary to Section 16(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The remaining two counts 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,” despite having reasonable grounds to believe the ammunition would be used to commit offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Justice Emeka Nwite sentenced Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine on Counts One and Two. The court ordered that the sentence take effect from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest.
Sani will serve his sentence at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
According to a security source, the conviction forms part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute individuals accused of aiding banditry and terrorism by withholding intelligence or providing other forms of support to criminal groups.
