Chinese citizen, 18 others sentenced in Kebbi terrorism and cable theft cases

The Federal High Court in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced a Chinese citizen, Ripin Liu, and two other men over terrorism-related offences and unlawful possession of firearms. Aliyu Hadari and Umar Musa Uzzi were each handed 15-year prison terms, while Liu received six years. In his judgment, Justice Emmanuel Gakko found that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that the defendants gave logistical backing to terrorists and conspired to commit terrorism, contrary to the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. The court heard that they were stopped along Yauri Road in a vehicle allegedly bought to move abducted people to a forest hideout. Liu was arrested with a Beretta pistol. The judge ordered that the vehicle and a Bajaj motorcycle be forfeited to the Federal Government after he found they were connected to the offences. In separate proceedings, Mohammed Bello Ibrahim, also known as Banki, was jailed for four years without an option of a fine. Abubakar Siddi was sentenced to three years, likewise without an option of a fine. Mohammed Bako, Bello Dantiye, Aliyu Dandaula and Abubakar Usman each received three-year prison terms without an option of a fine. Buba Alhaji Umaru was given three years after his arrest in Bagudo Local Government Area. He was accused of entering Nigeria from a neighbouring country with a locally fabricated pistol. John Zweme received two years and six months with an option of a fine, while Aliyu Bako and Sani Alaramma each got two-year sentences with an option of a fine. The police command also secured convictions against six people for damaging and stealing electricity cables in the Sakaba area of Kebbi State. The defendants, identified as Sani Tanko, Ibrahim Hamza, Samson Sunday, Abdulrahman Isah, Adamu Musa and Masudu, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to eight years.