A Maiduguri-based businessman, Umar Bashir, has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for engaging in terrorism financing in Borno State. The convict, who claimed to be a major dealer in perfume oil and also a Point of Sales (POS) operator, was found guilty of using his account number 2213629628 with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to facilitate money transfers for members of the Boko Haram sect.
Details of the Offence
Bashir specifically admitted to using his bank account to receive a cash amount of N5 million from a Boko Haram member, Ibrahim Modu, and later transferring the same amount into Modu's Access Bank account with number 1834250967. The convict confessed to committing the offence at the Maiduguri Money Market in 2025 and stated that he made a commission of N20,000 from the deal.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Upon his arraignment by the federal government on Monday, the convict pleaded guilty to the charges. Based on his admission of guilt and his confessional statement, Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment without the option of a fine. Justice Nyako ordered that the sentence should commence from 2025, the year he was arrested and detained. The judge turned down the request for leniency made by the convict, adding that the law must take its normal course.
