A Federal High Court has sentenced a Maiduguri-based businessman, Umar Bashir, to 20 years imprisonment without the option of a fine for financing terrorism.

Justice Binta Fatimah Nyako handed down the sentence after Bashir pleaded guilty to charges related to facilitating financial transactions for members of the Boko Haram insurgent group.

The convict, who described himself as an oil perfume dealer and Point of Sale (POS) operator, admitted using his United Bank for Africa (UBA) account to receive and transfer funds on behalf of a Boko Haram member.

According to court records, Bashir received N5 million from an alleged Boko Haram operative, Ibrahim Modu, and subsequently transferred the money to an Access Bank account linked to the terrorist group. He told the court that he earned a commission of N20,000 from the transaction.

The offence was committed in Maiduguri in 2025, leading to his arrest and prosecution by the Federal Government.

Following his guilty plea and confessional statement, Justice Nyako found him guilty and imposed a 20-year prison sentence. The court ordered that the sentence take effect from 2025, when the convict was first arrested and remanded in custody.

Bashir had appealed for leniency during the proceedings, but the court declined the request, ruling that the severity of the offence required strict application of the law.

The conviction is part of ongoing efforts by Nigerian authorities to curb terrorism financing and disrupt financial networks supporting insurgent activities in the country.