Ex-Federal law maker bags 5 yrs imprisonment over N212m fraud

 Former Reps member who represented Mashi Dutsi federal constituency, Mansur Ali Mashi, Friday bagged five years imprisonment over N212m fraud.

Disclosing this via the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s Facebook handle, Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna convicted Mansur Ali Mashi on eight counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretenses.

 Mashi, convicted alongside three bank officials: Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu in a trial that lasted 12 years.

Mashi was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for  using fictitious companies to fraudulently obtain a loan facility to the tune of N212,439,552 (Two Hundred and Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty-two Naira) only from new generational bank, which he diverted personal use.

 Upon arraignment, the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them and the case proceeded to trial. In the course of trial, the matter suffered several setbacks due to elevation or retirement of the trial judges. But the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants.

 At the last adjourned date, counsel to the parties adopted their final written addresses and the matter was subsequently adjourned till June 15 and 16, 2023 for judgment.

 However, when the matter was called on Thursday, June 15, the 1st defendant was absent in court. But the court in a well-considered judgment, pronounced him guilty on counts 1 to 8 and was convicted accordingly.

 The 1st defendant, Mansur Ali Mashi, is also awaiting judgment in a case of contempt of court before the same court. The judgment is slated for today, June 16, 2023.

In this particular case, Mashi is alleged to have sold the properties that were confiscated from him by the Court through an interim forfeiture order.