Mama Boko Haram, Associates Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment for N40m Fraud

Aisha Alkali Wakil, popularly known as Mama Boko Haram, along with Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Soyade, has been handed a 10-year jail term for a N40 million fraud case. The trio, respectively holding positions as CEO, Programme Manager, and Country Director of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, a non-governmental organization, were convicted by Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, revealed that the three, along with a fourth individual, Saidu Mukhtar (now at large), deceived Bashir Abubakar, the CEO of Duty-Free Shop Ltd. They falsely claimed to execute a contract for the supply of five x-ray machines with solar energy, obtaining N40 million in the process.

The conviction is based on charges of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense, violating Section 1(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. The court sentenced the defendants to 10 years imprisonment for each offense, with the terms to run concurrently. Additionally, they are jointly and severally obligated to repay the defrauded sum of N40 million to Bashir Muhammad.

The EFCC’s statement outlined that the defendants failed to deliver the promised x-ray machines or return the contracted amount. The conviction follows the presentation of four witnesses and 17 exhibits by the prosecution, represented by A.I. Arogha.