A couple, Baba Sule Abubakar Sadiq and Hafsat Kabir Lawal, along with Abdullahi Bala and Ladani Akindele, have been charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC with defrauding victims of ₦197,750,000 through impersonation, money laundering, and theft.

The EFCC stated that the suspects conspired to impersonate the wife of the Katsina State Governor, Fatima Dikko Radda, to defraud a bureau de change operator, Aminu Usman.

Investigations showed that Hafsat posed as the governor’s wife, promising Usman a dollar exchange deal. Her husband, Sadiq, reportedly provided her with SIM cards registered as “Fatima Dikko Radda” on Truecaller.

He also contacted Ladani Akindele, a former colleague at a new-generation bank, who helped obtain the contact of Unity Bank’s Chairman, Hafiz Bashir. Through this connection, Hafsat allegedly convinced Usman to transfer funds, promising dollar equivalents that never materialized.

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One of the charges states that the defendants obtained ₦89 million from Usman, paid into the Taj Bank account of the third defendant, Abdullahi Bala, under false pretenses. The funds were then laundered and shared among the accused.

All four pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, led by Bright C. Ogbonna, opposed their bail applications, arguing that they were premature. Defense lawyers, however, requested oral bail applications.

Justice Bello ruled in favor of the prosecution, ordering the defendants’ remand in a correctional facility and adjourning the case until March 17 for a bail hearing.

Reported by The Conclave.