‘Mama Boko Haram’ Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison Over ₦11m Contract Scam in Maiduguri

‘Mama Boko Haram’ Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison Over ₦11m Contract Scam in Maiduguri

A Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has sentenced Aisha Alkali Wakil, widely known as ‘Mama Boko Haram,’ and two others to 14 years in prison each for their roles in an ₦11 million contract scam.

Justice Aisha Kumaliya delivered the judgment on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, after a lengthy trial that began in September 2020 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Wakil, Tahiru Saidu Daura and Prince Lawal Shoyode.

The trio, who held key roles at the NGO Complete Care and Aids Foundation, were charged with conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretence. The EFCC alleged that they collected ₦11 million from one Muhammed Ambare under the guise of supplying and servicing two X-ray machines — a contract that was never executed.

In the EFCC’s statement released by spokesperson Dele Oyewale, it was revealed that the fraud occurred in July 2018 and was part of a wider pattern of deception.

Count two of the charge stated:

“That you, Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Saidu Daura, Prince Lawal Shoyode, and Saidu Mukhtar (now at large), with intent to defraud, obtained N11,000,000.00 from one Muhammed Ambare under the false pretence of executing a contract for supply, installation and servicing of 2 units of X-Ray Machine Model 1800, which you knew to be false…”

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Although the defendants pleaded not guilty, the EFCC presented a witness and documentary evidence that convinced the court. Justice Kumaliya convicted them on both counts, sentencing each to seven years on each charge to run concurrently — totaling 14 years.

The court also ordered them to jointly repay ₦8 million to the complainant. Failure to comply would result in an additional seven years in prison.

This verdict is another setback for Wakil, who has previously been convicted in multiple fraud cases, despite her former reputation as a humanitarian and peace advocate in Nigeria’s North-East.