Kano anti-graft agency secures impersonator’s conviction

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday announced it had secured the conviction of two criminals who defrauded elder statesman Alhaji Aminu Dantata and former Minister Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo.

Additionally, the commission recovered N5 million, which the convicts had swindled from the business mogul, including N1 million belonging to the former minister.

Briefing journalists shortly after the court session, prosecution counsel Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata explained that Bukar Galadima and Sulyman Ahmed devised and executed a plan to defraud their victims.

Bukar Galadima impersonated former FCT Minister Mohammed Abba Gana, pretending to be ill and seeking medical assistance from Aminu Dantata. He requested N5 million for treatment, after which Dantata instructed him to provide his account details. Instead, Galadima forwarded the details of his wife, Sadiyya Abba.

The businessman subsequently transferred N5 million to the account to support the purported medical expenses.

The main culprit, residing in Kano, then sent N500,000 to his accomplice in Abuja, while keeping N4.5 million for himself.

Later, when Dantata contacted the former minister to check on his health, he realised he had been defrauded and reported the matter to the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, which launched an investigation.

The two suspects were arrested and brought before Magistrates’ Court No. 24 in Kano.

The Chief Magistrate sentenced the fraudsters to four years’ imprisonment each last week.

The pair were charged with criminal conspiracy, impersonation, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.

When the First Information Report was read, both pleaded guilty to all four offences. Prosecution counsel Barr. Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata requested a summary trial under Section 129(8) of the ACJL 2019. The defendants were subsequently tried and convicted.

Presiding Chief Magistrate Umma Sani Kurawa sentenced the defendants to six months’ imprisonment for criminal conspiracy (or a fine of N30,000 each), three months for impersonation (or a fine of N20,000 each), one year for cheating (or a fine of N30,000 each), and six months for criminal breach of trust (or a fine of N20,000 each).

They were also ordered to pay N5 million in compensation or face an additional two years’ imprisonment upon the prosecution counsel’s request.

In addition, the two criminals used similar tactics to defraud former Minister of State for Housing Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo of N1 million.

The commission noted that while no formal complaint had been made by the former minister, the fraud was discovered during the investigation.

The commission recovered the stolen funds, which will be returned to Aminu Dantata and Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo.

Both convicts were also required to sign a bond for good behaviour.