A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, to 20 years imprisonment for his role in shielding a notorious bandit and facilitating terrorism financing.
Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Monday, finding Sani guilty on two counts of terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The court ruled that the sentence is to run concurrently, effective from January 11, 2023—the date of his initial arrest by the State Security Service (SSS/DSS). Sani is to serve his term at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The Charges and Conviction
The prosecution had preferred a four-count charge against the convict, stemming from events that occurred on or about January 9, 2023, in Lafia, Nasarawa State. According to the charges:
- Sani conspired with a notorious bandit known as “Danranmi”—who remains at large—to conceal information that the suspect was a key supplier of arms and ammunition to kidnappers and criminal elements operating in and around Niger State.
- He failed to disclose critical intelligence to law enforcement agencies that could have materially assisted in the apprehension of the fugitive.
- Evidence presented in court 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 the knowledge that the supplies were intended for terrorist activities.
A Warning to Terrorism Enablers
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The court denied the option of a fine for the conviction on counts one and two, reflecting the severity of the charges. Security sources indicated that the prosecution of Sani is a component of a wider strategy by federal security agencies to dismantle support networks for banditry and terrorism. By targeting those who act as enablers—whether by withholding intelligence or facilitating the logistics of violence—authorities aim to curb the influence of criminal kingpins like Danranmi who continue to threaten public safety.