The Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has sentenced Aisha Wakil, widely known as “Mama Boko Haram,” along with two associates, to five years imprisonment each. Justice Aisha Kumaliya delivered the verdict on Thursday.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) disclosed the development through its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, on Monday.
Wakil, the Chief Executive Officer of the Complete Care and Aid Foundation, a non-governmental organization, was convicted alongside Programme Manager Tahiru Saidu Daura and Country Director Prince Lawal Shoyode. They were re-arraigned on Monday on four amended charges, including conspiracy, cheating, and providing false information, amounting to N6 million.
According to the EFCC, the defendants dishonestly induced Alhaji Bukar Kachalla of Abks Ventures Limited to deliver a Toyota Camry 2012 model worth N6 million under the pretext of executing a purchase contract for the vehicle. The charges are in violation of Section 320(a) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, Cap 102, Laws of Borno State.
Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution, represented by Mukhtar Ahmed and Shamsudeeb Saka, presented three witnesses and multiple exhibits to support its case.
Justice Kumaliya convicted the defendants, sentencing each to five years imprisonment without an option of a fine. Additionally, the court ordered the convicts to jointly refund N3.5 million to the complainant or face an additional five years in prison.
The EFCC revealed that the fraudulent act occurred between October and November 2018, and the defendants neither fulfilled the contract nor returned the petitioner’s funds.
