Federal High Court Jails Man 40 Years For Serving As Spy To Late Benue Militia Leader
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted and sentenced Sunday Frank to 40 years in cerrectional custody after confessing that he served as a spy for an alleged notorious bandit leader in Benue State, Terwase Akwaza, popularly known as Gana.
In a four-count charge filed by the Federal government, the convict, Frank, who hails from Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State, monitored and provided information to Gana about the movement of security agents.
The charge which is being prosecuted by the Attorney-Ganeral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alleged that the convict had also kidnapped one Samuel in 2022 and held him hostage until the sum of 40,000 naira was paid.
He was accused of committing offences contrary to sections 21 and 24 of the terrorism prevention and prohibition act 2022.
Even though the defendant denied counts 1, 2 and 3 of the charge, which relates to his alleged involvement in abduction, he pleaded guilty to count 4, relating to providing information to the Benue bandit leader.
Following his plea, the AGF applied for the counts the defendant denied to be struck out, a request the court granted.
Afterwards, the prosecution produced a witness who told the court that he was part of the team that investigated the defendant.
In his submissions, the AGF stressed that, in view of the defendant's confession and the exhibits, he should be convicted on count 4 of the charge, to which he pleaded guilty.
Justice Hawa Yilwa found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to 40 years in prison, starting from the day of his arrest.
The court also held that the convict should, upon completing his prison term, be subjected to a rehabilitation programme.
The case is part of the ongoing mass trial of detained terror suspects.
