Hajj Agent bags 6 years jail term over N1.5m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of one Mallam Kabitu Jibrin before Justice Joseph Awak of Gombe State High Court after he was found guilty of a three count charge bordering on obtaining one million, five hundred and sixty thousand Naira (N1.560.000) by false pretense.

The complainant, Aliyu Audu Awwal, had alleged that the convict defrauded him and one Mallam Hussani Kumo, of the sum of N1.560,000 on the pretext that the said amount will be use to secure Hajj seats for them which he never did but diverted the money for his personal use. Kumo also alleged that the convict collected his Honda Accord car 2005 model under the guise that he will sell the car and use the proceed to secure additional Hajj seats which he never did.

The convict pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him.

Count three of the charge reads, “that you, Mallam Kabiru Jibrin (m) sometime in September, 2013 or thereabout in Gombe, Gombe State which is within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court falsely pretended to be a Hajj agent and dishonestly induced one Aliyu Audu Awwal to give you the cumulative sum of N810,000.000 (eight hundred and ten thousand naira only) through your UBA Acct.No:1005433707 under the false believe that the money will be used to secure a Hajj seat for him to enable him perform the 2013 Hajj and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Law, Laws of Northern Nigeria”.

In view of the plea of the convict, Justice Awak after taking cognizance of the fact that the convict had paid the whole money back to the complainant, convicted and sentenced him to six years imprisonment with an option of fine.