Yobe Court Jails Man 37 Years for ₦29m Sorghum Contract Fraud, Orders Full Restitution

A man was sentenced to a total of 37 years in prison by a High Court in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State, for defrauding victims of more than N29 million through a phony sorghum supply procurement contract.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Maiduguri Zonal Directorate, prosecuted the case, and Justice Lawu Lawan of the Yobe State High Court rendered the decision.

Abubakar Sadiq Abubakar was found guilty on four counts that included criminal misappropriation, forgery, and acquiring by false pretence.

In order to persuade his victims to pay N29,17000 for the purported supply of 38.9 metric tonnes of white sorghum, the accused pretended to be a procurement officer of BUA Foods Plc, the court heard.

Muktar Ali Ahmed, the prosecution’s attorney, said the court that five witnesses and numerous documents were utilized to show how the accused committed the fraud using fake contracts, receipts, and business records.

The offender was ordered by the court to give the victims their whole N29,175,000 back or risk an additional 10 years in prison.

The conviction highlights continued efforts to stop procurement fraud and shield companies from financial crimes in the area, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).