EFCC Secures Conviction of Bizman for N3.3m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kaduna Zonal Office has secured the conviction of a businessman, Haruna Aliyu, who was arraigned before Justice Darius Khobo of a Kaduna State High Court on a one-count charge bordering on cheating.

The count reads: "That you, Haruna Aliyu and Abdullahi Abdulhamid sometime between the month of April and May 2017 in Kaduna within the judicial division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N3,300, 000 from Yusuf Babajo under false pretence that you have five plots of land for sale located at BarkaAllah village, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State; a claim you knew to be false, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offence Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3)of the Same Act".

Upon his arraignment on May 2, 2018 he pleaded "not guilty" and the case was adjourned to July 2, 2018 for commencement of trial.

Prosecuting counsel, Esmond Garba, presented two witnesses.

However, counsel for the defendant, Martins Egboche, informed the court that the defence had opted for a plea bargain.

The defendant, thereafter, changed his plea to that of "guilty". Premised on that, a plea bargain agreement dated July 15, 2018 was filed.

The defendant also paid the sum N900, 000 as restitution to the victim.

In his ruling, Justice Khobo convicted him as charged, and upon the plea for leniency, ordered him to pay a fine of N100, 000.