In a landmark ruling that emphasises Nigeria’s ongoing battle against property fraud, Justice M.U Dogondaji of the Sokoto State High Court has convicted Sanni Dikko and Naabu Umar for conspiracy and cheating. This legal milestone underscores the judiciary’s commitment to stringent actions against fraudulent property transactions.

The Fraudulent Scheme Exposed

Dikko and Umar were convicted of defrauding Mustapha Mudashir out of N1,500,000 in a dishonest land deal. Investigations disclosed that Dikko, having initially sold the land to Ashiru Muhammed, conspired with Umar to misrepresent himself as the true owner. They subsequently tricked Mudashir into purchasing the same parcel of land for N1.5 million. The deceit came to light when Mudashir embarked on developing the land and was halted by the actual owner, Ashiru Muhammed.

Sentencing and Financial Restitution

Justice Dogondaji imposed a five-year prison term on both defendants, with an alternative of a N200,000 fine for each. Additionally, the court mandated them to repay N1,500,000 to the victim via the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Failure to adhere to this directive will lead to an extra five-year jail sentence.

A Strong Message Against Property Fraud

This ruling stands as a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against property fraud. It echoes the judiciary’s dedication to confronting such crimes with stern measures. The dual repercussions of incarceration and financial restitution stress the serious nature of these offences.

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