A fake Customs Comptroller was sentenced to 10 years and six months imprisonment without option of fine in a case of conspiracy, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence on Wednesday.
The suspect, Ibrahim Hassan, better known as Comptroller Kangiwa, was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission before Justice Dije Aboki of the Kano State High Court.
Hassan, who was prosecuted on a four count charge, allegedly obtained the sum of N11,074,500.00 from one Alhaji Balarabe Sumaila in Kano.
The EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said: “The convict presented himself in company of his syndicate to Sumaila as Comptroller Husaini Suleiman Kangiwa from Zone C, Owerri Office of the Nigeria Customs Service in 2007. He told him that, he had 12 containers of textile materials auctioned by the Customs Service at the Tin Can Port, Apapa, Lagos, for sale.
“The complainant, together with the convict’s accomplices, thereafter travelled to Lagos, where he was shown some containers containing the materials as discussed. Without any scintilla of suspicion, Sumaila paid the N11, 074,500 to the convict for processing, clearance and transportation of the goods from Lagos to Kano. However, all efforts made by the complainant to get the goods delivered or his money paid back to him yielded no result.”
Justice Aboki found Hassan guilty of the charge and consequently convicted and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment for obtaining the money by false pretence, three years imprisonment for impersonation and another six months for conspiracy.
The sentences are to run concurrently.
The judge also granted the restitution application filed by the prosecuting counsel, Nasiru Salele, and ordered the convict to pay the sum of N11 million to the complainant.
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