Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Gambo Mohammed, also known as Modu Gambo, before Justice Babagana Shettima of the Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri, on a four-count charge bordering on money laundering and criminal misappropriation to the tune of N13,650,000. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, was subsequently remanded in the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility pending the commencement of his trial, which has been adjourned to July 13, 2026, for a pre-trial conference. The arraignment marks the latest in a series of legal actions by the anti-graft agency in its sustained crackdown on fraudulent land transactions and advance fee fraud in the North-East region.
According to the charge sheet, the defendant allegedly obtained the sum of N13,650,000 from one Umar Abubakar under the pretence of selling two plots of land located at Dubai Musari Ward, opposite Maimalari Barrack, in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State. The prosecution, led by counsel A.D. Abdulmalik, argued that the defendant knew the representation to be false and that he had no genuine title or intent to transfer the properties to the complainant. Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Gambo Mohammed, (a.k.a Modu Gambo), sometime in 2025, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N13,650,000.00 from one Umar Abubakar, purportedly as purchase price for two plots of land situated at Dubai Musari Ward opposite Maimalari Barrack of Jere Local Government, Borno State, which you knew to be false, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Law.”
The remaining three counts of the charge are related to money laundering and criminal misappropriation, with the EFCC alleging that the defendant diverted the funds obtained from the complainant for his personal use rather than completing the land transaction. The commission's investigation revealed that the defendant had no legal authority to sell the properties and that the entire transaction was a fraudulent scheme designed to defraud the unsuspecting buyer. This case is part of a broader trend of land-related fraud in Borno State, where the insurgency and displacement have created opportunities for unscrupulous individuals to exploit vulnerable buyers seeking to invest in property.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution counsel, A.D. Abdulmalik, prayed for a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the conclusion of the case. Justice Babagana Shettima, after listening to the submissions, adjourned the matter until July 13, 2026, for a pre-trial conference and ordered the remand of the defendant in the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility. The court's decision to remand the suspect underscores the seriousness with which the judiciary is treating cases of financial fraud, particularly those involving large sums of money and the exploitation of vulnerable citizens.
The arraignment of Gambo Mohammed is the latest in a series of prosecutions by the EFCC's Maiduguri Zonal Directorate, which has intensified its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes in the North-East region. The zone has been particularly active in pursuing cases of land fraud, employment scams, and other forms of advance fee fraud that have plagued the region. In a similar case earlier this year, the EFCC arraigned one Alhaji Abba Umar before Justice Aisha Kumaliya of the Borno State High Court over an alleged N1.6 million land scam. In another case, the commission secured the conviction and sentencing of Bukar Umar Alhaji to two years' imprisonment for land racketeering in November 2025. More recently, the EFCC arraigned a man over an alleged N650 million fraud in Maiduguri, involving the conversion of funds meant for an investment in a mining business.
The EFCC has consistently warned the public to be wary of fraudulent land transactions and to verify the authenticity of property documents before making any payments. The commission has also urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to its offices for investigation and possible prosecution. The prosecution of Gambo Mohammed serves as a stark reminder that the EFCC will not hesitate to bring to justice anyone found to have engaged in fraudulent activities, regardless of their status or position in society.
The case has also drawn attention to the challenges of land ownership and documentation in Borno State, where years of insurgency have disrupted administrative systems and displaced millions of people. Many residents have returned to find their properties destroyed or occupied by others, creating a fertile ground for disputes and fraudulent transactions. The EFCC's intervention in this case is expected to serve as a deterrent to others who may be considering similar fraudulent schemes.
As the case progresses, the court will examine the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence. The defendant has maintained his innocence and is expected to present his defence during the trial. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by legal practitioners, anti-corruption advocates, and the general public, as it will further clarify the legal framework for prosecuting advance fee fraud and land-related offences in Nigeria.
For now, Gambo Mohammed remains in custody at the Maiduguri Maximum Correctional Facility, awaiting his next court appearance. The EFCC has assured the public that it will continue to pursue all cases of economic and financial crimes with diligence and professionalism, ensuring that justice is served and that the integrity of Nigeria's financial system is protected.
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