Bureau de Change Operator jailed three years for fraud

Justice Abdullahi Yusuf of the Katsina State High Court on Thursday convicted and sentenced one Sale Elleman to three years imprisonment for offences of criminal breach of trust, cheating, misappropriation and diversion of funds. The convict’s journey to prison began when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, received a petition from one Salisu Tambaya who alleged that Mr. Elleman, a Bureau De Change operator allegedly induced him in parting with the sum N13,000,000 under the pretext that the money would be invested in the BDC business.

One of the charge read that “you Saleh Mohammed Elleman Between the 27th may, to 25th June 2014 in Katsina within the judicial division of High Court of Justice of Katsina state being entrusted with certain property to wit the sum of N13, 000.000.00 by one Salisu Tambaya. Committed Criminal Breach of Trust and that you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 312 of the penal code”.

Upon arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

After diligent prosecution, Justice Yusuf was convinced that the convict was entrusted with the property in question, based on the testimonies of witnesses and the exhibits tendered.

“Although, the accused claimed to have invested the money, there was no evidence as to when the business commence, no any record whatsoever of the purported business transactions provided; it is in evidence that the accused could not give a satisfactory account of the said money,” the judge observed.

He consequently found the accused person guilty and sentenced him to three years imprisonment without option of fine.

The convict was also ordered to restitute the sum of N12.2 million to the complainant.