Man defrauds farmers of N80m

A middle-aged man, Boppoi Isah Aliyu, is standing trial at a Lafia Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defrauding some farmers in Nasarawa State of N80 million on the pretext of facilitating a loan for them.

When the case came up, the prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Stanley Nwodo, told the court that the accused had on October 11, 2012 went round all the local governments and development areas of Nasarawa State and defrauded his victims of N80 million.

The prosecutor described Aliyu’s action as an advanced free fraud which contravened some the country’s constitution.

He said each of the victims paid about N25,000 in anticipation of getting an agricultural loan which they did not get until the accused was apprehended by the police.

When the trial magistrate, Patrick Epu, asked the accused if he understood the allegation levelled against him, Aliyu claimed knowledge of the allegation but pleaded not guilty.

Nwodo, however, asked the magistrate to adjourn the case to May 7 since no counsel represented the accused in court.

Consequently, Epu adjourned the case to May 7 and directed the accused to be remanded in the prison custody.

Speaking with our correspondent later, one of the victims, Hon. Jacob Agwale, said Aliyu defrauded over 600 persons made up the entire members of the Jenkwe Traditional Council and other farmers in the Migili nation who paid N25,000 each to the accused.