Mustapha Ibn Mustapha was arraigned at the Borno State High Court on Tuesday for allegedly defrauding victims by selling land that belongs to the Borno State Government.
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mustapha collected N5,555,000 from unsuspecting buyers.
He claimed the sum was payment for thirty plots of land located at Njimtilo, Konduga Local Government Area, behind Borno State University.
The EFCC explained that the land was not his to sell.
“The defendant failed to deliver the land to the victims, and all attempts to recover the money proved abortive,” the commission said.
Mustapha was arraigned on a three-count charge for obtaining by false pretence and criminal conspiracy.
These charges contravene Section 1 and Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
During the court proceedings, Mustapha pleaded not guilty.
His lawyer, S.O. Saka, requested that the court set a trial date and remand him in a correctional facility.
The EFCC continues to monitor the case as part of its efforts to combat land fraud and protect citizens from financial crimes.
