Renting houses to terrorists a crime, FG warns landlords

The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to landlords who rent their properties to terrorists and those who host preparatory meetings with terrorist groups, as they face potential prosecution under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022. Mijinyawa Zakari, Director of the Legal Office of the National Security Adviser, made these remarks during a press briefing in Abuja.

According to Zakari, several activities associated with terrorism are now criminalized, including preparatory offences and providing support to terrorist groups. A minimum 20-year prison sentence is mandated for those found guilty of providing support to terrorists, while landlords who rent their properties to terrorists could also be prosecuted.

Zakari emphasized the importance of familiarizing oneself with the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022 to understand the scope of terrorism-related offences. He also warned companies against receiving funds linked to terrorism, which could result in severe sanctions, including a N200m fine and potential company winding up.

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has clarified that defendants facing terrorism charges are not denied access to their preferred lawyers, despite previous allegations. Instead, legal aid officials visit defendants at correctional centers and military facilities to interact with them before their trials.