By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A Borno State High Court on Monday convicted a Maiduguri based businessman, Babagana Abatcha, over N9 million fraud, but reserved the sentence till September 30.
The trial judge, Justice Umaru Fadawu had found the defendant guilty on a one-count charge, saying that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The convict was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Maiduguri Zonal office on a one-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust to the tune of N9 million.
When the charge was read to Babagana Abatcha, he pleaded not guilty and consequently, trial commenced. The prosecution relied on the testimonies of six witnesses and several exhibits to prove its case.
Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice Faduwa held that the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted the defendant accordingly.
The judge thereafter adjourned to September 30, 2020 for sentencing and ordered the remand of the convict in Medium Custodial Centre, Maiduguri.
The convict’s ordeal began when the EFCC received a petition from Gujja Ali, alleging that the convict obtained the sum of N9 million from him on the pretext of executing a purported contract from a Non Governmental Organisation, for the supply of goods. He later informed the petitioner that the said goods were intercepted by Nigeria Customs Service.
The count reads: “That you, Babagana Abatcha sometime between 2017 and 2018 at Maiduguri, Borno State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being entrusted with care over certain properties to wit: N9,000,000.00 (Nine Million Naira) only, by one Umar Gujja Ali being payment for the execution of a purported contract awarded to you by a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Maiduguri, did dishonesty misappropriate the entire sum and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311of the Penal Code Laws of Borno State Cap.102 Vol.3 of 1994 and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law.”
