A Maiduguri based businessman, Umar Bashir has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine for engaging in terrorism financing in Borno state.

The convict who claimed to be a major dealer in Perfume Oil business and also a a Point Of Sales (POS) operator was found guilty of using his account number 2213629628 with the United Bank of African (UBA) to transact money transfer for members of Boko Haram sect.

He specifically admitted using the bank account to accept a cash amount of N5M from a Boko Haram member, Ibrahim Modu into the account and later transferred same into the Access Bank account of the terrorist with number 1834250967.

The convict admitted committing the offence at the Maiduguri Money Market in 2025 and that he made a commission of N20, 000 from the deal.

Upon his arraignment by the federal government on Monday, the convict admitted guilty as charged.

Based on his admission of guilt and his confessional statement, Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako subsequently pronounced him guilty and sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment without option of fine.

Justice Nyako ordered that the sentence should begin from 2025 when he was arrested and detained.

The judge turned down the request for leniency by the convict adding that the law must take its normal course. (The Guardian)