A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Jos has handed a one-year prison sentence to a 38-year-old businessman, Hussaini Aliyu, over a case of financial deceit involving borrowed funds.
Aliyu, who faced prosecution for obtaining money under false pretences, admitted guilt when the charge was read to him.
Delivering judgment, Magistrate Mrs Irene Pati ruled that the convict should spend one year at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility, with an alternative option of a N50,000 fine. She further directed that he must refund the sum of N500,000 to the complainant or risk serving an additional seven months behind bars.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Insp. Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the matter was first reported on March 16 at the Nassarawa Gwong Police Station by the complainant, Jinaidu Zaki.
According to the prosecution, the defendant approached Zaki under the pretext of completing a fuel supply transaction tied to his role as a filling station manager. After securing N500,000 from the complainant, he reportedly vanished without a trace, only to be apprehended later by law enforcement.
Gokwat added that the offence violates provisions of the Plateau State Penal Code.
