Maiduguri court convicts two over N14.8m fraud
Justice B.T. Zannah of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has convicted and sentenced two individuals for separate cases of criminal misappropriation involving N14.8 million.
The convicts, Babagana Bukar and Hauwa Chabri, were arraigned on Monday, July 13, 2026, by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count of criminal misappropriation.
*Mustapha
Etim Ekpimah
Justice B.T. Zannah of the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has convicted and sentenced two individuals for separate cases of criminal misappropriation involving N14.8 million.
The convicts, Babagana Bukar and Hauwa Chabri, were arraigned on Monday, July 13, 2026, by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count of criminal misappropriation.
Bukar was charged with dishonestly misappropriating N8.8 million belonging to Bunu Gambo Liman. The money had been entrusted to him through Babakura Umar and Bello Adamu for the supply of 100 bags of IRS flour and 50 bags of BUA sugar. Still, he allegedly diverted the funds for personal use.
Chabri, on the other hand, was charged with dishonestly misappropriating N6 million belonging to Mohammed Samaila Yakubu, which had been given to her for the supply of beef.
The offences contravened Section 296 of the Borno State Penal Code Law and are punishable under Section 297 of the same law.
Both defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their guilty pleas, EFCC prosecuting counsel, A.D. Abdulmalik, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Counsel to Bukar, S. Mustapha, appealed for leniency, informing the court that his client had fully restituted the complainant. He urged the court to temper justice with mercy and impose a fine instead of a custodial sentence.
Chabri also pleaded for leniency and promised to refund the complainant’s money.
Justice Zannah subsequently sentenced Bukar to one year imprisonment, with an option of a N100,000 fine.
Chabri was ordered to restitute N6 million to the complainant or serve two years’ imprisonment if she defaults.
The EFCC said Bukar’s prosecution followed allegations that he received N8.8 million to supply flour and sugar but diverted the money for personal use. Chabri was prosecuted after allegedly converting N6 million meant for the supply of beef to her personal use.
