The Sokoto Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured the conviction of two fraudsters, Abdulrahman Abdullahi, also known as A.A. Sabo, and Bashir Muhammad, for offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence and cheating.
The duo were arraigned on separate one-count charges before the Sokoto State High Court. Abdulrahman Abdullahi was prosecuted before Justice Abubakar Adamu, while Bashir Muhammad appeared before Justice Muhammad Bargaja.
The prosecutions were handled by EFCC counsel Aliyu Bokani Usman and Yusuf Kolapo Saidu.
According to the commission, the convicts were initially arrested and transferred to the EFCC by the Department of State Services (DSS), Sokoto State Command, for further investigation over their alleged involvement in fraudulent activities linked to the notorious “Sai Mallam” cult group.
An EFCC source said the group is well known within Sokoto and its environs for Advance Fee Fraud schemes that target unsuspecting victims across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
“The investigations revealed that the syndicate defrauded victims not only in Nigeria but also in Niger Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin Republic, and Burkina Faso,” the source added.
Following their arraignment, the court found the defendants guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.
The EFCC reiterated its commitment to intensifying the fight against internet fraud and related financial crimes, warning that individuals involved in such activities would be brought to justice.
