The Federal High Court Abuja yesterday sentenced Awal Bello to 10 years imprisonment for facilitating the exchange of N750, 000 notes to Boko Haram during currency swap in 2023.
Justice Binta Nyako, in a judgment, also convicted Bello of paying tax of N20, 000 to Boko Haram contrary to Section 21 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013. Justice Nyako, who found Bello guilty of the offence after he pleaded guilty to the two counts preferred against him by the office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF), ordered that the sentencing shall run concunrently.
The Federal Government sued Bello as sole defendant. In count one, Bello of Mantari in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno State was alleged to have in 2023, rendered support by facilitating Nigerian currency notes of N750, 000 to Boko Haram contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, and punishable under the same act.
In count two, he was accused to have paid a N20, 000 tax to the terrorist organisation contrary to Section 21 of Terrorism Prevention Act 2013.
Bello, who pleaded guilty to the charges, begged the court to temper justice with mercy. Justice Nyako ordered that Bello be rehabilitated and de-radicalised.
