The Federal Government has warned landlords who knowingly rent their properties to terrorists and individuals who host preparatory meetings with terrorist groups that they risk prosecution under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022.
Mijinyawa Zakari, a Director in the Legal Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), gave the warning on Tuesday in Abuja during a press briefing on the recently concluded 11th phase of the trial of terrorism suspects.
Zakari said the Act criminalised various activities linked to terrorism, including preparatory offences, material support and financial assistance to terrorist groups.
He explained that providing support to terrorism attracted a minimum prison sentence of 20 years, adding that knowingly making properties available to terrorists was also a prosecutable offence.
According to him, individuals could be prosecuted even without directly participating in terrorist attacks, as activities such as hosting preparatory meetings with terrorist groups constituted offences under the law.
He said the government’s counter-terrorism strategy was focused on identifying and prosecuting not only direct perpetrators but also individuals and organisations that facilitated terrorist activities.
Zakari also warned companies against receiving funds linked to terrorism, noting that they could face severe sanctions regardless of whether the funds were eventually used to carry out terrorist acts.
He said companies found guilty of receiving terrorist financing could be fined N200 million, while their principal officers could face prosecution and the companies could be wound up.
The NSA official urged journalists and other stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Act, particularly Sections 11 to 33, which outline various terrorism-related offences.
He added that the government was strengthening its investigative capacity to ensure that individuals and organisations involved in terrorism financing and other forms of support were brought to justice.