Mama Boko Haram jailed over N11m fraud in Borno

Mama Boko Haram jailed with two others for defrauding a businessman of N11m in a fake X-ray contract. Judge orders N8m restitution or more jail time

Mama Boko Haram jailed alongside two others on Wednesday after Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court found them guilty of conspiracy and fraud.

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The judge, sitting in Maiduguri, sentenced Aisha Alkali Wakil, popularly known as Mama Boko Haram, Tahiru Saidu Daura, and Prince Lawal Shoyode to 14 years imprisonment each.

The case, which dragged on for nearly five years, began with their arraignment on 14 September 2020 by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

They faced a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence involving N11 million.

According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the charges stemmed from a fraudulent contract for the supply, installation, and servicing of two X-ray machines.

The contract, supposedly awarded to Muhammed Ambare of Muhammed Ambare Ventures, turned out to be a scam. The machines were never supplied, and the money was not refunded.

Despite pleading not guilty, the court heard from a prosecution witness and examined several documents tendered by EFCC counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed and S.O Saka.

After several adjournments caused by the defence, the court found the three accused guilty.

Justice Kumaliya ruled that they serve seven years each for the two charges. The sentences are to run concurrently.

She also ordered the convicts to pay N8 million in restitution to the victim. Failure to do so would result in an additional seven-year jail term.

“The evidence was clear, and the intention to defraud could not be denied,” Justice Kumaliya said. “The court must protect the integrity of contractual dealings and punish fraud.”

The three were convicted in connection with their roles as executives of the Complete Care and Aids Foundation, a non-governmental organisation through which the fake contract was arranged.

The petitioner had transferred the N11 million to an account linked to Saidu Mukhtar, now at large.

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Their sentencing brings to a close a case that began with hope for medical support but ended in a betrayal of trust and public funds.