EFCC Conviction: Baba Mele Isma’il Sentenced to Seven Years for Fraud in Maiduguri

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) Maiduguri Zonal Command achieved a significant victory on August 2, 2023, as one Baba Mele Isma’il was convicted and sentenced before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri.

The defendant faced a one-count charge related to obtaining Two Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,450,000.00) through false pretence.

The charge reads: “That you, Baba Mele Isma’il and Bulama Yahaya Jibrin (now convict) sometime in August 2016 at Maiduguri, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of Two Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N2,450,000.00) from Mohammed Usman and Mohammed Usman Kime, under the pretence that the said amount represents payment for the purchase of a purported four (4) plots of land laying and situated at Airport Road, Maiduguri, Borno State which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”

During the trial, the defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges. The prosecution counsel, S.O Saka, presented witnesses who provided substantial evidence, including several documents, which were tendered and admitted.

Following the proceedings, Justice Fadawu delivered the verdict, convicting and sentencing Baba Mele Isma’il to seven years imprisonment.

As part of the sentence, the convict is required to pay restitution of N520,000.00 (Five Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) to the victim, or he will serve an additional two years imprisonment in default. This judgment serves as a stern warning to those engaging in fraudulent activities, emphasizing the commitment of the EFCC in bringing perpetrators to justice.