Justice Ahmad G. Mahmud of the Federal High Court, Sokoto has convicted one Hassan Bello, a Director with the Sokoto State Commodity Board for obtaining money by false pretence.
The judge sentenced Hassan to 7 years imprisonment on a one count charge on Wednesday, November, 16, 2022.
The convict was found to have fraudulently obtained the sum N1, 320,000 (One Million Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira) under the guise of offering non-existent employment to hapless job seekers.
Justice Mahmud convicted and sentenced Bello to 7 years imprisonment with an option of N100, 000.00 fine to the Federal Government.
The Judge also ordered the convict to pay restitution of N850, 000.00 to the victims through the EFCC. Failure to pay the restitution within 6 months, the convict shall serve 2 years imprisonment.
Hassan Bello, Male, the Director Administration Sokoto State Commodity Board sometime in August 2021, within the jurisdiction of Honourable Court, with intent to defraud did obtained the sum of One Million Three Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira from one Aliyu Adamu Tsaki, Yusuf Abubakar, Yahaya Salihu Mohammed and others.
He committed the offence in the presence of one Dahiru Muhammad when he falsely represented himself to them that he will secure employment for them in the Sokoto State Commodity Board and issued them letters of provisional appointments, a representation he knew to be false.
The act was committed 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”.
He pleaded guilty to the charge upon arraignment.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, S.H Sa’ad prayed the Court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.
Justice Mahmud convicted and sentenced Bello to 7 years imprisonment with an option of N100, 000.00 fine to the Federal Government.