Imagine the awkward icebreaker: “So, what are you in for?” “Oh, just threatened to blow up my uni. Nbd.” Meet Somtochukwu Okwuoha, the Nigerian student whose study plans took a fiery detour.
While most students stress about exams, Somtochukwu chose a different kind of pressure: the explosive variety. His creative approach to academic pressure landed him a 40-month all-expenses-paid vacation in a Scottish gulag.
Somtochukwu, 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.”
Witnesses Against Somtochukwu Okwuoha
Witnesses described feeling deeply disturbed and fearful after Okwuoha made disturbing claims about harming the Dundee University community.
The trial heard how Okwuoha’s threats caused significant anxiety and distress among students and staff at the university.
Testimonies revealed the chilling impact of Okwuoha’s words, painting a picture of a campus community shaken by the potential for violence.
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.