Court Jails Fraudster 37 Years for N29m Procurement Fraud in Damaturu
Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria | April 23, 2026
Justice Lawu Lawan of the Yobe State High Court, Damaturu, has convicted and sentenced Abubakar Sadiq Abubakar to a cumulative 37 years imprisonment for his involvement in a N29.17 million procurement fraud.
The defendant was arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, criminal misappropriation, forgery, and the use of forged documents as genuine.
According to the charges, the convict, sometime in 2023 at Potiskum, fraudulently obtained the sum of N29,175,000 from his victims under the false pretext of supplying 38.9 metric tons of white sorghum. He allegedly presented himself as a procurement officer of BUA Foods Plc, a claim the court found to be false.
Further investigation revealed that the convict forged multiple documents, including a purported supply agreement and official statements bearing the name of BUA Foods Plc, which he used to deceive his victims into believing the transaction was legitimate.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting a full trial. During the proceedings, prosecution counsel Mukhtar Ali Ahmed presented five witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits, which were admitted by the court.
Delivering judgment, Justice Lawan found the defendant guilty on all counts and handed down various sentences. On count one, he was given the option of a N100,000 fine or 10 years imprisonment. On count two, he was to pay a N5,000 fine or serve two years imprisonment. For count three, the court imposed a fine of N100,000 or eight years imprisonment, while count four attracted a fine of N60,000 or a seven-year jail term.
In addition, the court ordered the convict to restitute the sum of N29,175,000 to the victims or face an additional 10 years imprisonment.
The court heard that the convict’s fraudulent scheme began when he approached the victims, introduced himself as a procurement officer of BUA Foods Plc, and issued fake receipts to facilitate the supposed purchase of sorghum. He subsequently collected the funds before being arrested, prosecuted, and convicted.
The judgment underscores the commitment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackling financial crimes and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.
