Somtochukwu Okwuoha, a 26-year-old Nigerian Master’s student at Dundee University, Scotland, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for making terrorism threats against staff and students of the school, as reported by BBC on Friday.
Found guilty of the charge, Somtochukwu Okwuoha, an international energy studies student, will not only serve a 40-month prison sentence but will also face deportation, as ruled by Peth Sheriff Court.
Testimonies from witnesses unveiled the student’s claims of a military background, boasting the ability to construct bombs and unleash a deadly virus on the city.
Upon arriving in the United Kingdom in 2021, Okwuoha asserted that he had enlisted the support of the terrorist group ISIS to assist in bombing the university. Additionally, he disclosed his intention to staff, outlining a plan for a chemical attack on the city.
Sheriff William Wood said, ‘Your presence in the United Kingdom is not conducive to the public good, and I make a recommendation for your deportation in due course.’
‘You were abusive towards her and tried to have her removed from her university course,’ after he had threatened a fellow female student who refused his advances.
‘The university decided to suspend you from your course and you turned your attention towards staff.’
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‘You threatened mass murder, terrorism, said you would plant bombs and use biological weapons,’ the charge read.
Okwuoha, currently incarcerated in Perth, has been convicted of threatening to murder university staff and committing terrorist crimes between December 2021 and June 2022.
Upon conviction, he was found guilty of threatening mass murder, planning the use of biological weapons, divulging staff details to international authorities, and claiming to have planted bombs.
Additionally, he was convicted of threatening to behead police officers and detonate bombs he claimed to have planted at Dundee University.
‘Blood spill’ threat
Keith Mackle, 58, a retired director of student services, testified at Perth Sheriff Court, revealing that he became aware of ‘serious concerns’ in the autumn of 2021.
Mackle noted that staff members received emails containing terrorist threats.
‘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,’ another witness stated.
Shane Taylor, the accommodation officer, testified in court that Okwuoha accused him of racism and declared intentions to retaliate by wiping out Scottish people.