EFCC Arraigns 2 For N1.7m Fraud In Borno

The Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two men; Mohammed Idris and Muhammad Abubakar for N1m and N795,000 fraud respectively.

Mohammad Idris was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Umaru Fadawu of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri on one count charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N1m.

The charge reads: “That you, Mohammed Idris sometime in July, 2019 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N 1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) from one Nura Bello as purchase price for Mercury chemicals which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge. Consequently, counsel for the prosecution A. I Arogha, S. O Saka, V.O Ekenam and A.A Ayenshola asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody.

Justice Fadawu remanded the defendant in prison and adjourned the matter till July 27, 2023, for trial.

A statement issued to Journalists on Wednesday in Maiduguri by Wilson Uwajarem, head, media and publicity EFCC, said in similar vein, one Muhammad Abubakar was arraigned before Justice Fadawu on a one count amended charge of obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N795,000.

The charge reads: “That you, Muhammad Abubakar on or about 12 day of March, 2022, in Maiduguri within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud obtained N795,000.00 ( Seven Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand Naira) by false pretence from Daniel Ibrahim under the pretence that you will assist him secure a job in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)a of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him by the EFCC. Counsel for the prosecution, Ahmedu I. Arogha, who appeared alongside; S. O Saka, V.O Ekenam and A.A Ayenshola asked the court to remand the defendant and fix a date for trial.

Justice Fadawu thereafter remanded the defendant in prison and adjourned till July 31, 2023 for trial.