Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission has secured the conviction of two criminals who defrauded elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata and former minister, Alhaji Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo.

The commission also recovered the N5m the convicts swindled the business mogul and N1m that of the former minister.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the court session, the prosecution counsel Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata said, that the duo of Bukar Galadima and Sulyman Ahmed perfected a plan and carried out the action.

Mr Bukar Galadima pretended to be former FCT Minister, Mohammed Abba Gana who is ill and medical assistance from the business mogul, Aminu Datata and requested for N5m.

Alhaji Dantata asked him to send his account details in which that of his wife was forwarded, Sadiyya Abba.

Subsequently, N5m was sent to the account by the businessman to support him.

He said that the main culprit who resides in Kano, later sent N500,000 to his accomplice who stays in Abuja while he pocketed the balance of N5m.

He said that Aminu Dantata later called the former minister to inquire about his health situation only to discover that he was swindled.

He subsequently reported the matter to Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission which began investigation upon receiving the complaints.

The duo were later arrested and arraigned before a magistrate court in Kano.

The Chief Magistrate Court no 24 sitting at Gyadi Gyadi sentenced the two fraudsters to 4 years imprisonment each last week.

The duo were arraigned for the offences of Criminal Conspiracy, impersonation, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

When the First Information Report (FIR) was read to them, they both pleaded guilty to all 4 offences as such the prosecution counsel Barr. Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata applied for a Summary trial under section 129 (8) of the ACJL 2019 they were tried and Convicted Accordingly.

The court presided over by Umma Sani Kurawa sentenced them to 6 months imprisonment for the offences of criminal conspiracy or a fine of N30,000 each, 3 months imprisonment for impersonation or fine of N20,000 each, 1 year imprisonment for the offences of cheating or N30,000 fine each and lastly 6 months imprisonment for the offences of criminal breach of trust or N20,000 each.

Similarly, they were also ordered to pay compensation of N 5, 000, 000 or in default to serve additional 2-year imprisonment upon application by prosecution counsel Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata

Meanwhile, the two criminals also deployed the same tactics to defraud a former minister of state for housing, Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo of N1m.

The commission said though there was no official complaint from the former minister, but it was discovered in the course of investigation that the duo defrauded him in the same way.

Presently, the commission has recovered the defrauded sum from the convicts which will be returned to Aminu Dantata and Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo.

They were also ordered to sign a bond of good behaviour

Independent post