EFCC arrests Auto dealer for N7.9m scam
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kaduna Zonal Office has arraigned one Aminu Alhassan Mohammed before Justice M.T. M Tukur of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna, on a one count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust.
The defendant, a dealer in used vehicles allegedly converted the said sum which was paid to him by a certain Maikudi Babakarah for the purchase of two vehicles, a red Mazda and Hyundai Sante Fe 2018 model.
The charge reads, “that you, Aminu Alhassan Mohammed ‘M’ sometimes in November, 2018 in Kaduna, and within the Judicial Division of this Honourable Court, while being entrusted with the sum of N7,990,000.00(Seven Million Nine Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira only) by one Maikudi Babakarah for the supply of two vehicles from overseas, monies which you dishonestly converted to your personal use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 296 of the Penal Code law of Kaduna state, 2017 and punishable under Section 297 of the same Law.”
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty, prompting the prosecution counsel J. Musa to ask the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial. But the defence counsel, A. Achi urged the court to admit his client to bail having been on an administrative bail earlier granted by EFCC. He assured that his client will be available for trial.
The judge granted the defendant bail and adjourned proceedings till October 13, 2021 for commencement of trial.
Trouble started for Aminu when the Commission received a petition from Babakarah who alleged that he approached the defendant, a used vehicles dealer, to purchase two vehicles, one red Mazda and Hyundai Sante Fe 2018 model.
He said he first transferred the sum of N6,490,000.00 to the defendant on 25th and 28th November, 2018 and subsequently the balance of N1,000,000.00 on 19th December, 2018.
After the payment, the defendant failed to deliver the two vehicles and refunded the sum of N500,000 after much pressure. All efforts to retrieve the balance failed.
