POS operator jailed 20 years after making N20,000 from transaction for Boko Haram member
Maiduguri Businessman Sentenced to 20 Years for Terrorism Financing
A Maiduguri businessman, Umar Bashir, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison without the possibility of parole for financing terrorism. Bashir, a dealer in oil perfumes and a Point of Sale (POS) operator, was found guilty of facilitating financial transactions for members of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
During the proceedings, Bashir acknowledged using his United Bank for Africa (UBA) account—number 2213629628—to receive a sum of N5 million from Boko Haram member Ibrahim Modu. He later transferred this amount to another account at Access Bank, linked to a terrorist, which bore the number 1834250967.
Bashir confessed to committing the offense in Maiduguri in 2025 and stated he received a commission of N20,000 from the transaction. He was arraigned by the Federal Government on Monday and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his admission of guilt and relevant confessions, Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako found him guilty and imposed the 20-year sentence. The judge ruled that the sentence would take effect from the time of Bashir’s arrest in 2025.
Justice Nyako denied Bashir’s request for leniency, emphasizing the necessity of enforcing the law.
