Crime: Umar Aliyu Yasiga and Jibrin Haruna sentenced to six months imprisonment with hard labour

Justice Dije Abdu Aboki of the Kano State High Court today December 8, 2016 convicted and sentenced the duo of Umar Aliyu Yasiga and Jibrin Haruna to six months imprisonment with hard labour and fine of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) for the first convict, and nine months imprisonment with option of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira Only) fine for the second convict count two of the charge which is a criminal breach of trust. 

In default of payment of the fine, the first convict was to serve additional prison term of twelve months. On count one of conspiracy, the first convict was sentenced to serve six months imprisonment or pay a fine of N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira Only) while the second convict was sentenced to imprisonment of four months or pay a fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only). 

In addition to the sentence, the first convict was ordered to restitute the total sum of N5,348,000 to the complainant and in default of the restitution, the first convict shall serve additional prison term of two years. 

The convict were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the 5th day of October, 2015 on two count charge of Conspiracy and Criminal Breach of Trust. Upon arraignment, both convicts pleaded not guilty. In order to prove the case against the convicts, prosecution called a total of seven witnesses and tendered several exhibits.

The convicts ordeal started when the commission recieved a petition from the complainant alleging that sometimes in July, 2014 the convicts conspired among themselves and convinced the complainant to supply rice to their company, West African Cotton Limited (WACOT). Base on their agreement, the complainant delivered 1,150 bags of rice at the cost of N7,000 per bag totalling N8,050,000 (Eight Million and Fifty Thousand Naira Only). After the delivery of the product, the convicts only paid the complainant the sum of N2,702,000 (Two Million, Seven Hundred and Two Thousand Naira Only) thereby converting the sum of N5,348,000 (Five Million, Three Hundred and Forty Eight Thousand Naira Only) to their personal use.

Count two of the charge read that ' You Omar Yasiga and Jibrin Haruna, while being staff of West African Cotton Limited (WACOT), sometimes between June and September, 2014, at Kano, within the Judicial DIvision of the Kano State High Court, being entrusted with a total of 1,150 bags of rice belonging to Ibrahim Mohammed Ala for sale to West African Cotton Limited (WACOT) at the price N7,000 per bag amounting to N8,050,000 did sold the said bags of rice to WACOT and paid him the sum of N2,702,000 and dishonestly converted the remaining sum of N5,348,000 proceeds to yourselves in violation of the agreement and thereby committed an offense contrary to section 311 of the Penal Code Law and punishable under section 312 of the same Law.