Notorious Bandit's Accomplice Bags 20-Year Jail Term

In a landmark judgment, a Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years in prison for his role in concealing information about a notorious bandit, Danranmi. Sani, who hails from Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was found guilty on two counts of terrorism-related offences. The court heard that Sani and Danranmi conspired to hide the fact that Danranmi was a notorious bandit who supplied arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits in Niger State. Sani was also accused of failing to disclose information about Danranmi's activities to law enforcement agencies, despite having knowledge of his involvement in terrorism. The charges against Sani were brought under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, which makes it an offence to conceal information about terrorist activities or to fail to disclose such information to the authorities. Justice Nwite, who presided over the case, sentenced Sani to 20 years in prison without an option of fine, with the sentence to take effect from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest. Sani is to serve his term at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. A security source noted that the conviction was part of efforts by security agencies to prosecute those who enable banditry and terrorism by withholding useful intelligence. 'The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute those who enable banditry and terrorism financing by withholding useful intelligence around the country,' the source stated.