Kano anti-agency recovers millions, convicts fraudsters who defrauded Dantata, Gwarzo

On Monday, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission announced the successful conviction of two individuals involved in defrauding prominent figures, including elder statesman Alhaji Aminu Dantata and former Minister Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo. The commission also recovered N5 million that the fraudsters had obtained from Dantata, along with N1 million belonging to Gwarzo.

During a press briefing following the court proceedings, prosecution attorney Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata detailed how Bukar Galadima and Sulyman Ahmed executed their fraudulent scheme. Galadima impersonated former FCT Minister Mohammed Abba Gana, claiming to be ill and soliciting N5 million from Dantata for medical treatment. He instructed Dantata to send the funds to an account, misleadingly providing his wife’s account details instead.

Dantata transferred the N5 million, believing it would aid in the treatment. Following the transaction, Galadima kept N4.5 million for himself and sent N500,000 to his accomplice in Abuja. It was only after Dantata followed up on Gana’s health that he discovered the ruse and reported the incident to the commission, which subsequently initiated an investigation.

The suspects were arrested and presented in Magistrates’ Court No. 24 in Kano, where they were each sentenced to four years in prison last week. They faced charges of criminal conspiracy, impersonation, breach of trust, and cheating. Upon reading the First Information Report, both defendants pleaded guilty to all charges.

Prosecution counsel Kofarmata requested a summary trial under Section 129(8) of the ACJL 2019, leading to their conviction. Chief Magistrate Umma Sani Kurawa sentenced them to varying terms: six months for conspiracy (or a fine of N30,000 each), three months for impersonation (or a fine of N20,000 each), one year for cheating (or a fine of N30,000 each), and six months for breach of trust (or a fine of N20,000 each). They were also ordered to repay the N5 million, with the threat of an additional two years’ imprisonment if they failed to comply.

Additionally, the commission revealed that the two men had employed similar tactics to defraud former Minister of State for Housing Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo of N1 million. Although Gwarzo had not formally complained, the fraud was uncovered during the investigation. The recovered funds will be returned to both Dantata and Gwarzo, and the convicts are required to sign a good behavior