The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 arraigned one Aliyu Muhammad Wapa of Makwarari Quarters of Municipal Local Government, Kano State before Justice Faruk Lawan of the State High Court, Kano on one count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.
Wapa, while parading himself as International Air Transport Association Agent, allegedly collected the sum of N500,000 (five hundred thousand naira) from one Hajiya Umma Aliyu of Yakasai as payment for lesser Hajj (Umrah) with a written agreement that, the visa would be issued to her within 14 days.
The suspect, however, failed to deliver on the terms of the agreement, and it was later discovered that, he was not a registered travel agent with the National Hajj Commission. Efforts of the victim to recover his money were unsuccessful.
The charge reads:
“That you, Aliyu Muhammad Wapa on or about 15th March, 2015 at Kano within the jurisdiction of the High Court of Kano State, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only from one Hajiya Umma Aliyu for which you acknowledged receiving using the Receipt of your registered Business Name (Al-Majmuatul Khairiyya international Ventures ) under the pretence that you would secure Umrah Visa (lesser Hajj) for her which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, B. M. Buhari urged the court to fix a date for hearing.
However, Justice Lawal granted the accused on bail in the sum of N500, 000.00 (five hundred thousand naira) and one surety in like sum. The surety must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.
The case has been adjourned to adjourned April 7, 2016 for trial.
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