Woman Sentenced to 3 Years for N1.3 Million Fraud in Borno

The Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has convicted and sentenced Kalthum Mustapha to three years imprisonment for defrauding three individuals of N1.3 million. Justice Aisha Kumaliya delivered the judgment on Wednesday, offering the convict an alternative option of a N50,000 fine.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mustapha was arraigned on May 13, 2024, on a one-count charge of obtaining money under false pretenses. She had collected funds from Muhammad Lawan Sani, Abubakar Umar, and Yusuf Jafar for the supply of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) packages but neither delivered the products nor returned the money.

The charge stated that Mustapha’s actions violated Section 320(a) of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 322 of Borno State laws. Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution team led by Mukhtar Ahmed and Faruku Muhammad presented convincing evidence, including documents and witness testimonies, that secured her conviction.

In addition to the prison sentence, Justice Kumaliya ordered Mustapha to repay N635,000 to her victims or face an additional two-year jail term. The judgment serves as a stern warning against financial fraud in the state.