The Borno State High Court has convicted Aisha Alkali Wakil, known as Mama Boko Haram, along with Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode, sentencing each to 14 years in prison.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through a statement issued by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Wednesday, disclosed that the defendants were brought to court on September 14, 2020, by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, facing a two-count charge related to conspiracy and obtaining by false pretences amounting to ₦11 million.
The second count of the charge stated, “That you, Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Saidu Daura, and Prince Lawal Shoyode, while serving as Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager, and Country Director respectively of Complete Care and Aids Foundation (a Non-Governmental Organisation), along with Saidu Mukhtar (who is currently at large), at some point in July 2018 in Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with the intent to defraud, obtained the sum of ₦11 million from Muhammed Ambare of Muhammed Ambare Ventures under the false pretense of executing a supposed contract for the supply, installation, and servicing of two units of X-Ray Machine Model 1800, which you knew to be untrue, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were presented, leading to a full trial.
However, Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the after multiple adjournments requested by the defendants on Wednesday, delivered the judgment, convicting and sentencing them to seven years of imprisonment each on counts one and two.
The judge ordered that the convicts must collectively and individually repay the petitioner a total of N8 million, or alternatively, serve an additional seven years in prison.
The convicts’ journey to the correctional facility began due to their fraudulent actions in awarding fictitious contracts for the supply, installation, and servicing of two units of X-Ray Machine Model 1800 to the petitioner and his company.
They coerced the petitioner into transferring ₦11 million into the account of a third party, Saidu Muktar, who is currently at large. Neither was the contract fulfilled, nor was the money returned to the petitioner.
It will be recalled that six months ago, the Chief Executive Officer of the Complete Care and Aid Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO), Aishal Wakil, widely recognized as Mama Boko Haram, along with two other officials from her organization, were sentenced to five years in prison each for involvement in a fraud amounting to over N6 million.
