Court Sentences ‘EFCC Official’ To Seven Years Imprisonment

Fraudulent Auctioneer Jailed in Kano for ₦35 Million Scam

A resident of Kano, Bulama Abdulrahman, has been sentenced to seven years in prison without the possibility of a fine for impersonating an auctioneer authorized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was convicted of obtaining ₦35,000,000 (Thirty-Five Million Naira) under false pretenses by fraudulently claiming to sell properties forfeited to the Federal Government.

His conviction was handed down by Justice Nasiru Saminu of the Kano State High Court after a trial on two charges related to fraudulent intent and obtaining money under false pretenses. Although the defendant pleaded not guilty, the prosecution, led by Musa Isah, presented compelling evidence that led to his conviction.

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Court Convicts Abdulrahman for Fraudulent Activities

The case against Abdulrahman stemmed from a complaint received by the EFCC, alleging that he had posed as an auctioneer authorized to sell forfeited properties. According to court documents, he deceived a businessman, Safiyanu Abdullahi of Tauraro and Property Limited, into believing he was selling a fenced, uncompleted building in Rijiyar Zaki, Kano.

One of the charges against him read:

“That you, Abdulrahman Bulama, on or about June 2023 in Kano, within the jurisdiction of the Kano State High Court, with the intent to defraud, obtained ₦20,000,000 (Twenty Million Naira) from Safiyanu Abdullahi of Tauraro and Property Limited by falsely claiming to be an auctioneer with the consent and authority of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to auction a fenced, uncompleted building at Rijiyar Zaki, Kano. You knew this representation to be false, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006.”

During the trial, the prosecution presented three witnesses, while the defendant was the sole witness in his defense. After examining the evidence, Justice Saminu found Bulama guilty on the second charge, while acquitting him on the first.

Sentencing and Restitution Ordered by the Court

Following the conviction, the prosecution urged the court to impose a suitable sentence, considering the financial loss suffered by the victim. In response, the defense lawyer pleaded for leniency, highlighting that Bulama is a PhD student at Nasarawa State University. However, the court found that his education did not absolve him of his crime.

Consequently, Justice Saminu sentenced him to seven years of imprisonment without the option of a fine. Additionally, the court ordered him to pay ₦35,000,000 in restitution to the victim.

The court further ruled that if Bulama fails to pay the restitution, he will serve an additional seven years in prison.

Repeat Offender Convicted Again

Investigations revealed that Bulama Abdulrahman is a repeat offender. He had previously been investigated and convicted by the Kano State High Court on June 28, 2021, for a similar fraud scheme involving obtaining money under false pretenses.

His latest fraudulent activities involved tricking victims into believing they were purchasing a truck and an incomplete building in Kano. His deception ultimately cost his victims millions of naira.

With this ruling, the EFCC continues its crackdown on financial crimes, ensuring that fraudsters who prey on unsuspecting individuals are held accountable.