Terrorism threat: Nigerian student jailed in UK

Somtochukwu Okwuoha, a 26-year-old Master’s student at Dundee University, Scotland, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison by Perth Sheriff Court in the United Kingdom (UK).

Okwuoha, according to the ruling will be deported after serving his jail term.

The embattled Nigerian was remanded in custody last month after being found guilty  of seven charges by a jury.

The charges  included  making terrorist threats against Dundee University.

The 26-year-old reportedly claimed he had enlisted a terrorist organisation, ISIS, to help bomb the university. He also told the university staff that he planned to target the city in a chemical attack.

“Your presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good, and I make a recommendation for your deportation in due course,” Sheriff William Wood told Okwuoha.

 “You came to the UK in 2021 to attend a master’s degree at Dundee University. You formed a friendship with Fatmata Barrie and thought the relationship could be taken further,” Wood said.

“When she rebuffed your advances, you began a malicious campaign against her. You sent threats and tried to manipulate her emotions.

“You were abusive towards her and tried to have her removed from her university course. You alleged she was a potential terrorist in the UK and, as a Muslim, was able to engage with terrorist agencies that would visit mass murder and other terrorist offences within the UK.

“The university decided to suspend you from your course and you turned your attention towards staff. You threatened mass murder, and terrorism, and said you would plant bombs and use biological weapons.

“You said you would commit acts of terror in the UK, and particularly at Dundee University.

“One member of staff was so fearful he refused to return to work.

“You were released on bail with conditions not to commit further offences. Despite being barred from campus you repeatedly entered it without reasonable excuse.

“Over a period of nine months you made these threats and embarked on what can only be described as a campaign to discredit, and to incite terror in those to whom you sent threats.”