The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned two suspected fraudsters, Sulaiman Inuwa Zakiru and Aliyu Ahmed, for allegedly impersonating prominent oil magnate Alhaji A.A. Rano and defrauding a victim of N12 million.
The duo appeared before Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu of the Kano State High Court on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretenses.
According to the EFCC, the defendants conspired to impersonate Alhaji Rano, the owner of A.A. Rano Oil and Gas Limited, and deceived their victim into paying N12 million for an oil allocation they falsely claimed was authorized by the oil company.
The main suspect, Zakiru, allegedly told the victim that he would soon be contacted by Rano after a supposed courtesy visit, according to Dele Oyewale, EFCC Head, Media & Publicity.
Shortly afterward, someone posing as Alhaji Rano contacted the victim and offered petroleum products worth N12 million. The victim was instructed to make payments into two bank accounts: A.A Yansamary General Enterprise and Zahda General Enterprise. However, after the transaction, the victim met the real Alhaji Rano, who denied any knowledge of the deal.
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One of the charges reads: “That you, Sulaiman Inuwa Zakari and Aliyu Ahmed, sometime in April 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offense, to wit: cheating by impersonation, contrary to Section 96(1) and punishable under Section 97(1) of the Penal Code Law.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea, prosecution counsel Zarami Mohammed requested a trial date and asked that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility.
Justice Aliyu granted the request, ordering the remand of the accused and adjourning the case to May 22, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
