EFCC arraigns swindler BDC operator in Kano over N197 million

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano zonal office has arraigned a Bureau De Change operator, Yusuf Yakubu before the Kano State High Court for alledgedly swindling two businessmen.

Yakubu Yusuf is being tried before the Court that was presided by Justice Sanusi Ma’aji on Wednesday.

Yusuf was said to have allegedly obtained the sum of $870,000 (Eight Hundred and Seventy Thousand Dollars) only from the complainant under the pretext of changing same to naira, but returned only the sum of N220, 300,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira) only and diverted the balance of N197, 600,000 (One Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira) only.

At the hearing, the charge was read to him, “that Yakubu Yusuf on or about 14 of January 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud, dishonestly and misappropriated the sum of N149, 000,000 (One Hundred and Forty-Nine Million Naira only) belonging to Oliver Ogokumaka and Obumnemi Okoli and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 308 and punishable under section 309 of the Penal Code.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge. The prosecution counsel, Musa Isah however asked the court for a trial date.

Counsel to the defendant, Abdul Adamu informed the court that he had filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

The presiding Judge, Justice Ma’aji however adjourned the matter till August 18 for argument on the motion.

Justice Ma’aji granted the defendant bail of N50, 000,000 (Fifty Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a relative of the defendant and both must also be residents of Kano. Their business addresses must also be verified.