The Sokoto Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought charges against Jamilu Nabunkari and Bashar Sani before Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court.
The accusations revolve around the alleged fraudulent acquisition of N2,900,000 (Two Million Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) through a land scam.
Nabunkari and Sani were arraigned on two-count charges, both stemming from obtaining funds under false pretences. The charges levelled against them include conspiracy to commit an illegal act and the fraudulent obtaining of funds from Lawali Tukur Faru through false representation of land sale.
The first count detailed the alleged conspiracy between Nabunkari and Sani to defraud Lawali Tukur Faru by falsely presenting the sale of a plot of land. This act, as per the charge, contravenes Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
During the arraignment, both defendants entered pleas of not guilty to the charges levelled against them. Subsequently, the prosecution counsel, S.H. Sa’ad, sought the court’s approval to proceed with the trial, while the defence counsel A.M. Lukman applied for bail on behalf of the defendants.
In a pivotal ruling, Justice Mohammed granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) each, requiring one surety for each defendant to provide an equivalent sum. Notably, the sureties were mandated to be residents of Sokoto and were directed to submit recent passport photographs to the court’s registry. The judge adjourned the proceedings to April 2, 2024, to commence trial.
The crux of the case revolves around the purported sale of a plot of land located behind Sani Dingyadi School in Sokoto. Allegedly, the defendants advertised the land for sale, enticing Lawali Tukur Faru to express interest and subsequently transfer the aforementioned sum into their bank account.
Investigations into the matter revealed the intricate roles played by the accused individuals. Nabunkari purported to be the rightful owner of the land, while Sani presented himself as the agent handling the sale. This revelation underscores the complexity of the alleged fraudulent scheme.
As legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of due diligence in property transactions and the vigilance required to safeguard against fraudulent activities. The EFCC’s swift action in bringing charges against the defendants highlights the agency’s commitment to combating financial crimes and upholding the rule of law in Sokoto and beyond.
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