Abuja court jails Benue bandit leader Gana’s spy for 40 years
Federal High Court Sentences Man for Espionage Ties to Notorious Bandit Leader
Abuja, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Sunday Frank to 40 years in correctional custody for his role as a spy for the late Terwase Akwaza, known as Gana, a notorious bandit leader.
Frank, a resident of the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area in Benue State, was convicted after admitting he monitored and relayed information about the movements of security personnel to Gana. He faced a four-count charge brought by the Federal Government, with prosecution led by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
The charges included allegations of kidnapping; specifically, Frank was accused of abducting a man named Samuel in 2022 and holding him for ransom. The prosecution indicated that the ransom paid was 40,000 naira.
In court, Frank denied three counts related to abduction but pleaded guilty to the fourth count, which involved espionage. Following his admission, the Attorney General requested that the counts to which Frank pleaded not guilty be dismissed, a request the court granted.
A witness provided testimony, stating his involvement in the investigation of Frank. Fagbemi urged the court to impose a conviction based on Frank’s confession and other submitted evidence related to Count 4.
Justice Hawa Yilwa delivered the ruling, finding Frank guilty on the count he admitted to, and sentenced him to 40 years’ imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest. The court also mandated that upon serving his sentence, Frank must participate in a rehabilitation program.
This case is part of a broader mass trial involving individuals accused of terrorism-related offenses.
