Court jails former lawmaker over N5m fraud

A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Dutse, Jigawa State, presided over by  Abdullahi Ibrahim Aliyu, has jailed Shu’ibu Kashim Dila, a former lawmaker in the state, over a ₦5 million fraud case.

The former lawmaker was convicted on three counts brought against him by the Jigawa State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (JSPCACC).

The defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.

Our correspondent reports that on 17 February 2025, one Aisha Yusuf of Hadejia Local Government Area, Jigawa State, through her legal representatives, Adamu Garba and Muhammad Alhaji, lodged a written complaint against Hon. Shu’ibu Kashim Dila of Malam Madori Local Government Area, Jigawa State.

The complainant alleged that the defendant, in conspiracy with his wife, deceitfully obtained the sum of ₦5 million from her under the pretext that it would be repaid within one month.

Both parties executed a written agreement to that effect.

However, upon the expiration of the agreed period, the defendant allegedly sent his wife to an unknown location in an attempt to evade their obligation.

Following an investigation by the Commission — during which the defendant made a confessional statement — other evidence gathered by the Commission’s investigators established an intent to defraud the complainant.

The Commission arraigned the defendant before Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Ibrahim Aliyu of Chief Magistrate Court II, Dutse, on a three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.

During the trial, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The Commission’s prosecution team, led by Barr. Zubairu Haladu, called three witnesses and tendered two exhibits in support of its case before closing its arguments.

The defense, in turn, called two witnesses, including the defendant himself, and tendered no exhibits before closing its case.

Both parties thereafter filed and adopted their final written addresses.

On 8 October 2025, Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Ibrahim Aliyu delivered judgment in favour of the JSPCACC. The defendant was convicted and sentenced after careful consideration of the evidence presented by the prosecution as follows:

 A fine of ₦50,000 or three months’ imprisonment for the offence of criminal breach of trust;

A fine of ₦50,000 or three months’ imprisonment for the offence of cheating;

A fine of ₦30,000 or two months’ imprisonment;

Payment of ₦5,000,000 as restitution/compensation to the complainant, or five years’ imprisonment in default;

Payment of ₦250,000 to cover prosecution expenses, or four months’ imprisonment in default.

The court ordered that all sentences shall run consecutively.