Governor’ docked for N.2m scam

THE Economic and Finan­cial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), on Tuesday, ar­raigned a man, Sabo Laba­ran before Justice Abuba­kar Jauro of the Gombe State High Court sitting in Gombe, on a two-count charge bordering on im­personation and obtaining money by false
pretence. The accused was alleged to have defrauded his victim to the tune of N242,000.00.

The offence is contrary to Section 1 sub-section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 sub-section 3 of the same Act.

The accused person, who is alleged to be a member of an Internet syndicate had, sometime in October 2015, allegedly obtained the sum of N242, 000.00 from one Alhaji Hussaini Mai- Magani, promising that he would award him a contract for the supply of some hos­pital equipment.

However, the suspect, whose Facebook profile bears the picture of the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwam­bo, allegedly diverted the money for personal use.

The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Following his plea, pros­ecution counsel, Ahmad Muntaqa, asked the court for a trial date. The defence counsel, Rahimat Talle, prayed the court to grant the accused bail on liberal terms.

Consequently, Justice Jauro adjourned to Feb­ruary 8, 2016 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison custody.