The Gombe Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully obtained the conviction and sentencing of Yusuf Aminu by Justice A.M Sambo of the Bauchi State High Court. Aminu has been sentenced to three years in prison for charges related to dishonesty and obtaining by false pretence.
The Gombe Zonal Command of the EFCC brought Aminu before the court on a one-count charge related to obtaining by false pretences. The charge accuses Aminu, trading under the name and style of Yusuf Aminu General Enterprises, of dishonestly obtaining the sum of N1,600,000.00 from First City Monument Bank in January 2021. Aminu falsely represented that the funds were for the improvement and enhancement of his working capital, a pretense he knowingly made, thereby violating Section 320 and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Law.
Having pleaded “guilty” to the charge, Aminu was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment, with an option of a fine set at N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira). The prosecution counsel, Mubarak Tijani, urged the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while Aminu’s counsel, Adamu Baba, sought mercy for the defendant, emphasizing his remorsefulness and full restitution to the victim.
Aminu’s legal troubles originated when he obtained a loan from First City Monument Bank for his business but failed to use the funds for its intended purpose or repay the bank.
In a separate development, on January 18, 2024, the Gombe Zonal Command of the EFCC brought Dare Dammas Luggard before Justice J.D. Longden of the Plateau State High Court in Jos. Luggard faces six-count charges related to the intent to defraud and obtaining by false pretence, amounting to N11,550,000.00 (Eleven Million Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).
One of the charges alleges that Luggard, in 2021 in Jos, Plateau State, induced Samalia Isa Kudi to deliver N4,500,000.00 under the pretence of being contracted to deliver 10,000 bags of maize to internally displaced persons. Luggard diverted the funds for personal use, violating Section 320 and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code.
Luggard pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, leading prosecution counsel A.B. Kware to request a trial date. The defense counsel, A.S. Amaleh, informed the court of an existing bail application for the defendant.
Justice Longden granted bail to Luggard in the sum of N5 million and two sureties in a like sum, with one surety required to be a district head in the defendant’s community. The judge remanded Luggard in Jos Correctional Centre until the fulfillment of bail conditions and adjourned the matter till March 19, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
