A Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced Maaruf Ubale to six years imprisonment without an option of fine for defrauding a complainant of N28.35 million. The court found that he used a forged letterhead belonging to a member of the House of Representatives to obtain the money.
Justice S.M. Shuaibu convicted Ubale after he pleaded guilty. The offence involved forging the letterhead of Abdulkadir Muaz Gwarzo, who represents the Gwarzo/Kabo Federal Constituency. Ubale used the forged document to secure a purported contract for his company, Pen and Hammers Developers.
The letter claimed that the company had been awarded a contract to supply 250 bags of Gerewa rice for distribution to less privileged residents of the constituency. The prosecution told the court that N11.8 million of the amount Ubale was ordered to refund remained unpaid. His last payment was N600,000.
Counsel for Ubale, Fatima Chabir, asked the court for a short adjournment so that her client could complete the outstanding payment. Justice Shuaibu rejected the request. He stated that the convict had been given sufficient time to repay the money but had failed to do so.
The judge further ordered that Ubale should not be released from detention after completing the six year term until he had made full restitution of the outstanding sum. Justice Shuaibu also criticised the police for failing to file a separate charge of forgery against the convict for his use of the lawmaker’s letterhead.
By A Ikechukwu
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