‘MAMA BOKO HARAM’, TWO OTHERS JAILED 14 YEARS FOR N11 MILLION FRAUD IN BORNO

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, has sentenced Aisha Alkali Wakil, popularly known as “Mama Boko Haram”, along with Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode, to 14 years imprisonment each for their involvement in an N11 million fraud.

The trio, who were officials of a non-governmental organisation, Complete Care and Aids Foundation, were convicted on Wednesday on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence, brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the convicts had fraudulently obtained N11 million from one Muhammed Ambare under the guise of executing a fictitious contract for the supply, installation, and servicing of two units of X-Ray Machine Model 1800.

The defendants were arraigned on September 14, 2020, and had pleaded not guilty, leading to a full trial. During proceedings, EFCC prosecutors Mukhtar Ali Ahmed and S.O. Saka presented one witness and submitted several documents to support the case.

Delivering judgment, Justice Kumaliya found the defendants guilty on both counts and sentenced them to seven years on each count, to run concurrently.

In addition, the court ordered them to jointly and severally pay N8 million in restitution to the victim or serve an extra seven-year prison term.

The fraudulent deal involved the transfer of the N11 million to a third party account belonging to Saidu Muktar, who is currently at large. The supposed contract was never executed, and no refund was made to the petitioner.

The EFCC described the conviction as a significant win in its fight against economic and financial crimes.