the Maiduguri Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted executives of the Complete Care and Aid Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), for a N40 million fraud. The defendants, including Aisha Alkali Wakil, Tahiru Alhaji Saidu Daura, and Prince Lawal Shoyade, holding the positions of Chief Executive Officer, Programme Manager, and Country Director respectively, were convicted on charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretense.
The case, which was heard by Justice Fadawu of the Maiduguri High Court on Thursday, March 5, 2020, centered on the defendants’ fraudulent acquisition of N40 million from Bashir Abubakar, CEO of Duty Free Shop Ltd, under the guise of fulfilling a contract for the supply of five X-ray machines powered by solar energy—a claim found to be entirely fabricated.
Dele Oyewale, the spokesman for the EFCC, detailed the charges, emphasizing the deliberate intent to defraud by the accused. Despite their pleas of “not guilty,” the prosecution, led by Counsel A.I Arogha, presented compelling evidence through four witnesses and seventeen exhibits, leading to the conviction of the accused.
Justice Fadawu imposed a ten-year prison sentence for each of the two counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretense, to run concurrently. Additionally, the court ordered the convicts to collectively reimburse Bashir Muhammad the sum of N40 million.