The Defendant after his arrraignment
The office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) through the operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, has arraigned one Mohammed Bello Abubakar, popularly known as Buba, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over an alleged N790 million fraud involving 18 shops at Alaba International Market, Ojo.
Abubakar was arraigned on a three-count charge of alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and unlawful funds conversion in charge numbered FHC/LAG/CR/789/2026.
The prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Ajani Animashaun of Legal department of ForceCID Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, while arraigning the defendant today, told the court that the defendant, conspired with one and one Alhaji Musa Lawal, who is currently at large, to commit the between June 2025 and March 2026.
Animashaun told the court that the defendant and Alhaji Lawal, in a bid to defraud Casco Electronic Company Limited of the sum of N790 million, falsely represented that they had the lawful authority, right and title to sell 18 units of shops at Alaba International Market.
Animashaun further told the court that Abubakar dishonestly converted the N790 million to his own use, despite the money belonging to Casco Electronic Company Limited and being connected to the purported sale of the shops.
The alleged offences according to the prosecutor, are contrary to Section 8(a) and 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 (as amended). And Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of Federation 2004.
The defendant has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Based on his not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Animashaun prayed the court for a trial date, as well urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services NCoS pending the determination of the charge.
However, the defendant through his lawyer, prayed the court for a date to enable him file his bail application.
Based on the agreement of counsel, Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala, adjourned the matter to November 5, for trial. While ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCoS’ facility, pending when his bail application will be heard and determined.
Charges against the defendant read: “That you, MOHAMMED BELLO ABUBAKAR (BUBA) ‘M’ and one ALHAJI MUSA LAWAL, now at large, sometime between the month of June 2025 and the month of March 2026, at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 (as amended), to wit: obtaining money by false pretence, by falsely representing to Casco Electronic Company Limited that you had the lawful authority, right and title to sell eighteen (18) units of shops situated at Alaba International Market, Lagos, which representation you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 (as amended).
“That you, MOHAMMED BELLO ABUBAKAR (BUBA) ‘M’ and one ALHAJI MUSA LAWAL, now at large, sometime between the month of June 2025 and the month of March 2026, at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, by false pretence, obtained for yourselves from Casco Electronic Company Limited the sum of N790, 000, 000. 00 (seven hundred and Ninety Million Naira), by falsely representing that you had the lawful authority, right and title to sell eighteen (18) units of shops situated at Alaba International Market, Lagos, which representation you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 (as amended).
“That you MOHAMMED BELLO ABUBAKAR (BUBA) ’M’, sometime between the month of June 2025 and the month of March 2026, at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did dishonestly convert to your own use the sum of N790, 000, 000. 00 (Seven Hundred and Ninety Million Naira), being property belonging to Casco Electronic Company Limited, which came into your possession in connection with the transaction for the purported sale of the said eighteen (18) units of shops, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of Federation 2004.”