The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment for concealing information about a notorious bandit, identified as Danranmi, who remains at large.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite convicted Sani on counts one and two of the charge filed against him by the Department of State Services.
The judge sentenced him to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, without the option of a fine, but directed that the sentences should run concurrently.
Justice Nwite also ordered that the sentence should take effect from January 11, 2023, the date Sani was arrested.
The court directed that he should serve the jail term at Kuje Prison, Abuja.
Sani, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was prosecuted by the DSS on terrorism-related allegations under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
He was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, failure to disclose information about a suspected terrorist, and alleged involvement in the procurement of ammunition for criminal elements.
According to the prosecution, Sani conspired with Danranmi 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 DSS also told the court that Sani knowingly failed to report information that could have assisted security agencies in apprehending Danranmi.
The prosecution said the failure to disclose the information enabled the suspect to evade arrest.
Additional counts in the charge 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.”
The prosecution alleged that Sani had reasonable grounds to believe that the ammunition would be used to facilitate terrorist activities.
Justice Nwite consequently found him guilty on the terrorism-related counts and ordered him to serve the sentence concurrently.
The post “Court Sentences Man To 20 Years For Shielding Notorious Bandit” — SSS Says He Concealed Information That Helped Fugitive Evade Arrest appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
