Somtochukwu Okwuoha, a Nigerian student at Dundee
University, Scotland, has been sentenced to 40 months behind bars over threats
to bomb the institution.
The Perth Sheriff court ruled that the international energy
studies student should be deported after serving his jail term.
In November, the court found the 26-year-old master’s student
guilty of seven charges, including making terrorist threats against the
university. He was remanded in custody.
Okwuoha claimed he had enlisted ISIS, a terrorist
organisation, to help bomb the university. He also told the university staff
that he planned to target the city in a chemical attack.
Sheriff William Wood said Okwuoha’s “presence in the United
Kingdom is not conducive to the public good, and I make a recommendation for
your deportation in due course”.
“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.”
WITNESSES RECOUNT HOW
OKWUOHA’S THREAT TERRIFIED THEM
During the trial, witnesses told the judge how Okwuoha said
he planned to carry out mass murder on the Dundee University campus, claiming
he had military background and was capable of making bombs and unleashing a
deadly virus.
Keith Mackle, now retired director of student services, said
he became aware of “serious concerns” in the autumn of 2021 when staff members
received emails containing terrorist threats.
According to Mackle, one of the email reads: “Expect a
massive bomb explosion at the University of Dundee. I have contacted ISIS
terrorists to plant bombs on campus. I can assure you staff and students will
die in great numbers. 9/11 will be a joke compared to what will happen. Blood
will spill and flesh will be scattered”.
Stewart Kennedy, a campus security officer, said he received
a call from an unknown number telling him of a bomb being placed on the campus
and that “there was going to be carnage tonight”.
“I could tell he was covering his mouth to disguise it but I
could tell it was an African accent,” Kennedy said.
Shane Taylor, an accommodation officer, said Okwuoha accused
him of being racist and said he would wipe out Scottish people as revenge.
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40 months is too small.. he must have thought uk is Anambra
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