Justice
Abdullahi Yusuf of the Katsina state High Court on Thursday March 8, 2018
convicted and sentenced one Sale Mohammed Elleman to three years imprisonment
for offences of criminal breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation and
diversion of funds.
The convict’s journey to prison began when the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, received a petition from one Salisu Tambaya
who alleged that Elleman, a Bureau De
Change operator allegedly induced him into parting with the sum N13,000,000
under the pretext that the money would be invested in the BDC
business.
One
of the charge read that "you Saleh Mohammed Elleman Between the 27th may,
to 25th June 2014 in Katsina within the judicial division of High Court of
Justice of Katsina state being entrusted with certain property to wit the sum
of N13, 000.000.00 by one Salisu Tambaya. Committed Criminal Breach of Trust
and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 312 of the
penal code”.
Upon
arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After
diligent prosecution, Justice Yusuf was convinced that the convict was
entrusted with the property in question, based on the testimonies of
witnesses and the exhibits tendered.
"Although,
the accused claimed to have invested the money, there was no
evidence as to when the business commence, no any record whatsoever of
the purported business transactions provided; it is in evidence that the
accused could not give a satisfactory account of the said money," the
judge observed.
He
consequently found the accused person guilty and sentenced him to three years
imprisonment without option of fine.
The
convict was also ordered to restitute the sum of N12, 200,000 (Twelve Million
Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) to the complainant.
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