Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
A Gombe State High Court has remanded two suspected fraudsters, Bello Isah and Alhaji Abdullahi Usman in prison over allegation of N12.2 million fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Gombe arraigned the duo before Justice Abubakar Jauro on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.
The defendants were arrested at Alkaleri Check Point, 80 kilometres away from Gombe on Bauchi Road by officers of the 33 Artllery, Nigeria Army Corps Artillery, Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi based on the intelligence report received from DSS, Gombe State Command, before they were handed over to EFCC Gombe office for further investigation.
It was alleged that the first defendant, Abdullahi Usman who hails from Adamawa state, conspired with the second defendant and approached one of the popular stores in Gombe, Fusaha stores and told the owner, Mustapha Salen Maina, under the pretext to buy goods in large quantities and presented himself as an elite from Adamawa state and promised to help the victim in his business.
With intent to defraud, the first defendant was able to convinced Maina, the victim did obtained goods from the stores like Gezina, ready-made Agbada, lace materials, wrappers, native caps, assorted perfumes, shoes, wrist watches, recharge cards and handsets which amounted to N10, 435,000.00, as well as $5000 equivalent to Nigerian currency at the prevailing rate of N367 per dollar making the sum of N1, 835,000.00 under the false pretence of purchasing the properties.
From the purchase point, the duo sneaked into their car with all the goods and drove to Alkaleri on their way to Bauchi trying to escape with the goods before they were arrested.
When the charge were read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charge; following which the prosecution counsel, A. Y. Muntaka requested for a two clear days to open and close his case.
Though the defence counsel, I. A. Wokdung, applied for the bail of his clients orally, but the presiding Judge who said his court is a court of records told the defence counsel to come formally with tje bail application of his client.
The case was however adjourned to 9th July, 2018 for hearing, while the defendants were remanded in prison custody till the next adjourned date.