A Kano State High Court has sentenced Bulama Abdulrahman to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine for posing as an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) auctioneer and defrauding victims of N35 million.

Justice Nasiru Saminu delivered the verdict after Abdulrahman was found guilty on two counts of intent to defraud and obtaining money under false pretences.

“Abdulrahman Bulama falsely claimed to be an EFCC-authorised auctioneer, deceiving victims into paying for properties he had no right to sell,” an EFCC spokesperson stated.

One of the charges detailed how Abdulrahman obtained N20 million from Safiyanu Abdullahi of Tauraro and Property Limited by falsely claiming to have the EFCC’s authority to auction an uncompleted building in Kano.

Abdulrahman pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial. The prosecution presented three witnesses, while the defendant testified in his own defence. Justice Saminu, convinced by the prosecution’s evidence, found Abdulrahman guilty on the second count and acquitted him on the first.

The prosecution requested the court to convict the defendant, while the defence pleaded for leniency, citing Abdulrahman’s status as a PhD student at Nasarawa State University.

Justice Saminu sentenced Abdulrahman to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine. He also ordered Abdulrahman to pay N35 million in restitution to the victim.

Failure to pay the restitution will result in an additional seven-year prison term.

Abdulrahman’s arrest followed a petition alleging that he posed as an EFCC auctioneer, fraudulently obtaining N35 million from victims under the guise of selling a truck and an uncompleted building.

“Bulama is a serial fraudster who was previously convicted by the Kano State High Court on June 28, 2021, for a similar offence,” the EFCC spokesperson confirmed.