EFCC to arraign 2 Kano businessmen for scamming Swiss of $530,000

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been granted leave by a Kano High Court to arraign two suspects for obtaining money from a Swiss businessman by false pretence.

The suspects Saminu Umar Ta’ambu and Ahmed Maiturare of Kantin Kwari textile market, Kano are alleged to have fraudulently used the name of the Kano State Government to induce a Swiss national, Mathias Hee of Okutex Ag, into supplying them with fabrics worth $530,000 (N164m).

Justice Dije Aboki granted the leave following an application  for leave to prefer charges against the two men by EFCC counsel A.T. Habib pursuant to Section 185(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

One of the suspects, Ta’ambu w allegedly  approached Mathias Hee around July, 2015 requesting for the supply of fabrics amounting to $530,000 under the pretext that he was acting on behalf of the Kano State Government, having forged a document titled, ‘Authorisation to Transfer to Foreign Account,’ purportedly issued and signed by the authority of the Government of Kano State.

“After the items were supplied, Ta’ambu failed to honour his part of the bargain and refused to remit the amount as agreed,” the statement said.

Justice Dije adjourned till October 5, 2016 for arraignment of the suspects.