Photo: Court Convicts Aminu Ado for Cheating, Impersonation

Photo: Court Convicts Aminu Ado for Cheating, Impersonation

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on June 27, 2019 secured the conviction of one Aminu Ado, who was arraigned before Justice Samira Bature of a Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, Maitama on a one-count charge bordering on cheating and impersonation.

Operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, had, following surveillance carried out on intelligence report indicating his involvement in cybercrime and internet fraud activities, arrested him, and handed him over to the EFCC on May 7, 2019.

Further investigations by the EFCC, revealed that he falsely presented himself as one Muhammed Bello of Naboyi BDC 52, in Gwagwalada.

The charge against him reads: “That you, Aminu Ado (otherwise called Aminu Ado Yerima) sometime in April 2019 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did cheat by personation, by representing yourself to be Muhammad Bello of BNaboyiDC 52, Gwagwalada Road Abuja and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 321 of the Penal Code, laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990 and punishable under Section 324 of the same Act.”

He pleaded “guilty” to the charge.

Following his guilty plea, counsel for the EFCC, Maryam Ahmed, informed the court of a plea bargain agreement between the prosecution and the defence.

“We urge the court to adopt the agreement,” she said.

Adaji Abel, counsel for Ado, while confirming the plea bargain, pleaded with the trial judge to temper justice with mercy.

“We plead with the court for mercy, because the defendant is sick and has three children that are dependent on him,” he said.

In convicting him, the trial judge asked him if he voluntarily agreed to the plea bargain without any enforcement, which he affirmed.

Justice Bature, thereafter, adjourned to July 1, 2019 for “sentencing”.

Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
June 27, 2019