COURT JAILS MAN FOR LAND FRAUD, ARRAIGNS ANOTHER FOR INTERNET SCAM IN MAIDUGURI 

By Jason Okhai

Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court, Maiduguri, on Thursday, January 23, 2025, convicted and sentenced Kolo Ngwari to one year imprisonment for land fraud, highlighting the judiciary’s commitment to combating fraud in Nigeria.  

Ngwari was re-arraigned by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a one-count amended charge of cheating to the tune of **N1,650,000.00** (One Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).  

The charge stated:  
“That you, Kolo Ngwari, sometime in August 2018, in Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, at Pompomari bye-pass layout, dishonestly induced Alfred Buba Mbaya to deliver to you the sum of N1,650,000.00 (One Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) under the guise that the said amount represents payment for a plot of land with grant No. BO/707, at Pompomari bye-pass, Maiduguri, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320 (a) and punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code Cap 102 Laws of Borno State.”  

Ngwari pleaded guilty to the charge. The prosecuting counsel, Faruku Muhammad, prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly, while the defense counsel, M. A. Sani, pleaded for leniency.  

Justice Kumaliya sentenced Ngwari to one year imprisonment with an option of a N200,000.00 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.  

Ngwari’s fraudulent activity began in August 2018 when he collected **N1,650,000.00** from Alfred Buba Mbaya as payment for a plot of land. However, Ngwari neither delivered the land nor refunded the money to the victim.  

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EFCC ARRAIGNS MAN FOR INTERNET FRAUD

In a separate case, the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC arraigned Simon Musa on a two-count charge of internet fraud involving $800,000 USD.  

One of the charges reads:  
“That you, Simon Musa, sometime in 2023, whilst being a friend with Vincent Marcus (convict) in Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, induced members of the public using electronic messages through your Gmail account (Simonscott32@gmail.com) and obtained the sum of $800,000 USD, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”  

Musa pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution counsel, F. Muhammad, requested a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in custody.  

Justice Kumaliya adjourned the case to February 6, 2025, for the hearing of Musa’s bail application and the commencement of trial. He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional Centre pending the next court session.  

EFCC Commitment to Justice
These cases underscore the EFCC’s dedication to prosecuting individuals involved in financial crimes and fraud. The convictions and ongoing trials signal a firm stance against fraudulent activities, fostering public confidence in the legal system.  

Dele Oyewale 
Head, Media & Publicity 

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