The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the conviction of Bulama Abdulrahman, who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine for posing as an EFCC-assigned auctioneer to defraud unsuspecting victims of N35 million.

Justice Nasiru Saminu of the Kano State High Court found Abdulrahman guilty of obtaining money under false pretenses by falsely claiming he had the authority to auction properties forfeited to the Federal Government.

One of the charges against him stated that in June 2023, he obtained N20 million from a victim under the pretense that he was authorized to auction a property in Kano, an offense contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offenses Act, 2006.

Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution, led by EFCC counsel Musa Isah, presented compelling evidence, leading to Abdulrahman’s conviction.

The court sentenced him to seven years in prison and ordered him to pay N35 million in restitution. Failure to pay will result in an additional seven-year prison term.

In a message on its verified X handle on Friday, the EFCC urged the public to remain vigilant and report fraudulent activities.

Kano court sentences fake EFCC auctioneer to seven years in prison