Justice B.T. Zannah of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, has convicted and sentenced two persons for criminal misappropriation involving a total sum of N14.8 million.
The convicts, Babagana Bukar and Hauwa Chabri, were prosecuted by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on separate one-count charges bordering on criminal misappropriation.
According to the EFCC, Bukar was charged with dishonestly converting N8.8 million entrusted to him for the supply of 100 bags of IRS flour and 50 bags of BUA sugar belonging to one Bunu Gambo Liman.
The anti-graft agency told the court that the money was paid to Bukar through Babakura Umar and Bello Adamu for the purchase of the commodities, but he diverted the funds for personal use without the owner’s consent, contrary to Sections 296 and 297 of the Borno State Penal Code Law.
Similarly, Chabri was accused of dishonestly converting N6 million belonging to Mohammed Samaila Yakubu, which was meant for the supply of beef.
Both defendants pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.
Following their guilty pleas, prosecution counsel, A.D. Abdulmalik, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
Counsel to the first defendant, S. Mustapha, appealed for leniency, informing the court that Bukar had fully refunded the complainant’s money. He urged the court to temper justice with mercy and impose the option of a fine.
Chabri also pleaded for mercy and promised to restitute the complainant.
In his judgment, Justice Zannah convicted Bukar and sentenced him to one year imprisonment with an option of a N100,000 fine.
The court also convicted Chabri and ordered her to refund the N6 million to the petitioner or, in default, serve a two-year prison term.
The EFCC said Bukar’s prosecution stemmed from his diversion of funds meant for the purchase of flour and sugar, while Chabri was arraigned for converting money meant for the supply of beef to personal use.
