A Nigerian government official has been indicted for channeling stolen public funds into financing the activities Boko Haram, Daily Trust reported.

The UAE government made the indictment as the federal appellate court convicted six other Nigerians in the Emirate for funding Boko Haram in 2019. The conviction was upheld after an appeal.

Court papers only described the Nigerian government official as ‘Alhaji Ashiru’ without clarifying his position in public service. Peoples Gazette could not immediately clarify the person’s identity.

The six Nigerians convicted were identified as Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, Saleh Yusuf Adamu, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, AbdurRahman Ado Musa, Bashir Ali Yusuf and Muhammad Ibrahim Isa, according to Daily Trust.

The Nigerians were charged with funding Boko Haram through money laundering routed via Dubai.

“The court judgment also showed that between 2015 and 2016, the convicts were involved in different cash transfers allegedly in favour of Boko Haram to the tune of USD782,000.00 even as those close to them said the transactions were for legitimate purposes’, Daily Trust reported.

Mr. Muhammad and Mr. Adamu were sentenced to life imprisonment, as they are said to have joined the extremist group voluntarily, while the other four were sentenced to ten years as punishment for supporting the group.

The accused, arrested in April 2017, had their homes searched after investigations held by the National Security Bureau confirmed their involvement in funding the organisation.

The transactions revealed the involvement of two Boko Haram agents, working undercover in Nigeria. Alhaji Ashiru was described as a “Nigerian government official” who siphoned public funds while a certain Alhaji Sa’idu, both persons referred to as senior undercover members of Boko Haram, were reportedly responsible for the transfer of funds between the extremist group and their sponsors.

The interior ministry in UAE did not immediately return a request seeking additional clarification about ‘Alhaji Ashiru’.