A Borno State High Court, presided over by Justice Umaru Fadawu, has handed down a 10-year prison sentence to Aisha Wakil, popularly known as “Mama Boko Haram,” along with Tahiru Daura and Lawal Soyade, for their involvement in a N40 million fraud case.
The conviction was announced by Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following their fraudulent activities in falsely obtaining funds under the guise of supplying equipment.
Initially, the trio, including Wakil, were found guilty of falsely obtaining N15 million from a victim, Bukar Kachalla, for the supposed supply of Chemistry Analyser Solar Energy equipment. This act violated Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Further investigations by the EFCC revealed their involvement in a larger scam amounting to N40 million. They were charged with conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretenses.
The defendants, operating under the guise of the Complete Care and Aid Foundation, allegedly defrauded Bashir Abubakar of Duty-Free Shop Ltd with promises of supplying X-ray Machines 1900 with Solar Energy. Despite receiving the funds, they failed to deliver the machines or refund the money.
Upon their arraignment in court, they pleaded not guilty, but after the presentation of evidence and witnesses by the prosecution, they were found guilty.
Justice Fadawu sentenced them to 10 years imprisonment each for conspiracy and obtaining by false pretenses, with an order to jointly and severally pay back the defrauded sum of N40 million to Bashir Muhammad.
This verdict concludes a saga of fraudulent activities perpetrated under the guise of NGO operations, leading to a significant legal outcome in the fight against financial crimes.
