A Federal High Court in Kano State has ordered the remand of two Katsina State residents, Sani Mamman and Abubakar Umar, on charges of supporting bandit activities, a development that underscores ongoing security concerns in northern Nigeria. The defendants are accused of violating Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act, a law designed to combat terrorism and related offences. The court’s decision comes amid heightened efforts by Nigerian authorities to dismantle networks that assist armed criminal elements in the region.
Sani Mamman, a resident of Ruwan Godiya in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, is accused of being hired in March 2025 to transport suspected bandits to a forest in the same local government. Prosecutors allege that his actions constitute offences under Section 13(a), (b), and (c) of the Terrorism Prevention Act. Mamman pleaded not guilty, asserting that he is not a driver but earns his living by selling beans using a wheelbarrow. He also informed the court that his mother lives in Funtua, while his father is deceased.
The prosecution, led by counsel Hadiza Adamu Yabani, confirmed that Mamman has been in custody since his arrest in March 2025. The court heard that his alleged involvement in transporting bandits poses a direct threat to national security and public safety. The prosecution emphasized that such acts, even if indirect, contribute to the destabilization of communities in the North-West region.
The second defendant, Abubakar Umar, hails from Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State. He was arrested on December 2, 2024, for allegedly attempting to transport arms and ammunition to bandits. Like Mamman, Umar denies the charges, insisting he is not involved in any criminal activity. He stated that his livelihood comes from farming and selling perishable goods before his arrest.
Defence counsel H.A. Kalmaten, who took over the case after consultations with the defendants, presented the defence’s position to the court. The presiding judge, Justice S.M. Shuaibu, adjourned the case to July 7 and 8, 2026, for the commencement of trial. In the meantime, both defendants have been remanded in a correctional facility within the jurisdiction of the court.
This case highlights the Nigerian government’s continued focus on prosecuting individuals accused of aiding armed groups, even those not directly involved in violence. As the trial date approaches, the case will be closely watched by security analysts and civil society groups concerned with justice and human rights in conflict-affected areas. The outcome may set a precedent for how the judiciary handles similar cases in the future.
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