Court Jails Man 20 Years for Concealing Notorious Bandit, Foiling Arrest

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Muhammad Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment for concealing information about a notorious bandit, identified as Danranmi, whose escape was allegedly aided by the defendant’s failure to alert security authorities.

Justice Nwite delivered the judgment on Monday, convicting Sani on two counts bordering on terrorism-related offences under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

The convict, a resident of Nabi Village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, was found guilty of conspiring with Danranmi to conceal information about the alleged bandit, who prosecutors described as a supplier of arms and ammunition to kidnappers and bandits operating in parts of Niger State.

According to the prosecution, Sani knowingly withheld information that could have assisted law enforcement agencies in apprehending Danranmi, despite being aware of his alleged terrorist activities.

The court heard that the offences were committed on January 9, 2023, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

Justice Nwite sentenced Sani to 20 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine on Counts One and Two. The judge ordered that the sentence should take effect from January 11, 2023, the date of his arrest, with the convict to serve his term at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

Sani had also faced two additional counts alleging conspiracy to receive ₦580,000 from the fugitive bandit to procure 150 rounds of ammunition intended for terrorist activities. The charges stated that the funds were allegedly meant to purchase ammunition from a supplier identified as “Chairman,” with reasonable grounds to believe the ammunition would be used to facilitate terrorism-related offences.

Danranmi, who remains at large, was named in the charge as Sani’s alleged co-conspirator.

Reacting to the conviction, a security source described the judgment as a significant step in efforts to dismantle support networks sustaining terrorism and banditry across the country.

“The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to prosecute individuals who enable banditry and terrorism financing by withholding vital intelligence from law enforcement authorities,” the source said.