Jail Sentence For Terrorism Convict Too Lenient

DSS plans to appeal prison terms imposed on three terror convicts.
Service says sentences do not match gravity of alleged offences.
Appeals seek tougher punishment to deter terrorism and arms trafficking.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has concluded plans to challenge two recent court judgments that sentenced three men convicted in separate terrorism related cases, insisting that the punishments do not reflect the gravity of their offences.

Security sources disclosed that the Service will appeal the decisions of the Federal High Court in Kano and a Katsina State High Court, arguing that the prison terms are too lenient considering the nature of the offences and the weapons allegedly recovered from the convicts.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal High Court in Kano sentenced Jamilu Ibrahim to 32 years imprisonment and Rayya Haruna to 10 years imprisonment after they were convicted in separate terrorism related cases.

In a separate judgment, a Katsina State High Court sentenced the 80 year old village head of Salihawa in Safana Local Government Area, Audu Adamu Tubali, to 10 years imprisonment.

According to security sources, the DSS believes the penalties are inadequate and intends to seek stiffer punishment at the appellate court.

The Service said the three convicts were arrested during separate operations that allegedly led to the recovery of large quantities of arms and ammunition intended for terrorist and bandit groups.

The DSS alleged that Ibrahim was apprehended while transporting weapons to a suspected bandit leader identified as Karami, who is believed to operate in Katsina State.

According to the prosecution, DSS operatives recovered four Rocket Propelled Grenades and 832 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition for AK 47 rifles from him.

The Service maintained that the recovered weapons were intended to strengthen terrorist and bandit operations.

A security source described the sentences as a “slap on the wrist” compared to the seriousness of the offences.

Speaking to ThisDay, the source argued that previous court judgments in similar terrorism related cases had attracted far stiffer punishments.

As an example, the source cited the recent conviction of Hauwa’u Mukhtar, an alleged female arms courier who was sentenced to death by a Federal High Court in Katsina State.

According to the source, Mukhtar was arrested by DSS operatives at Jibia Motor Park while allegedly attempting to transport 438 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to a suspected bandit leader operating in the Dunburum Forest area of Zamfara State.

The source argued that if the death penalty was considered appropriate in Mukhtar’s case, similar sanctions should be considered in cases involving the recovery of more sophisticated weapons.

The source said, “Where the courts have found it fit to impose the maximum penalty in cases involving the transportation of arms to bandit and terrorist networks, the DSS believes that similar treatment should be meted on Ibrahim, Haruna and Tubali, more so as the weapons found on them are more lethal than those found on the lady sentenced to death by hanging.

“The Service believes in fairness to all, and will explore all available legal options to ensure that the full weight of the law is made to bear on all who run foul of it without fear or favour.”

Jail Sentence For Terrorism Convict Too Lenient - DSS — Jail Sentence For Terrorism Convict Too Lenient – DSS

Another security source said the planned appeals are part of the DSS’s broader efforts to secure judicial outcomes that will serve as stronger deterrents against arms trafficking and support for terrorist and bandit groups.