The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted the 250-day imprisonment imposed on two persons convicted of unlawful possession of ammunition, describing the sentence as inadequate given the circumstances of the case. The group also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), or the Department of […]
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has faulted the 250-day imprisonment imposed on two persons convicted of unlawful possession of ammunition, describing the sentence as inadequate given the circumstances of the case.
The group also called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), or the Department of State Services (DSS) to review the matter and take appropriate legal action where necessary.
The FCT Police Command had announced the conviction of Yau Sule, and Mariya Sule, following their arrest over the alleged supply of ammunition to kidnappers and other criminal elements operating in the North Central region and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the police, Yau Sule was arrested on June 2, 2026, while in transit along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway.
The police said 81 rounds of 7.62mm live AK-47 ammunition and 100 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition for a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) were recovered during the operation.
It added that further investigations led to the arrest of his sister, Mariya Sule, who was allegedly linked to the ammunition supply network.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Dutse-Alhaji, FCT, in charge number CR/DUT/1132/2026, where they were convicted for unlawful possession of live ammunition under the Firearms Act.
In separate warrants dated August 24, 2026, the court sentenced Sule and Mariya to 250 days’ imprisonment each without an option of fine. They are to serve their sentences at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
Reacting in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the sentence was not sufficient to serve as a deterrent if the allegations of supplying ammunition to terrorists were established.
“The sentence to just 250-days of custodial sentencing is just like letting these collaborators with terrorists go home after few days of detention and then resume their daredevil transactions with terrorists,” the group said.
HURIWA urged the Attorney-General or relevant security agencies to examine the case and determine whether further prosecution under applicable counter-terrorism laws was warranted.
The group said effective prosecution of cases involving the supply of weapons and ammunition to terrorist and criminal groups was necessary to strengthen the fight against insecurity.
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