Court Jails Former Jigawa Lawmaker Over N5m Fraud

 

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Dutse

Chief Magistrate Court II in Dutse, Jigawa State, presided over by Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Ibrahim Aliyu, has jailed Hon. Shu’ibu Kashim Dila, a former lawmaker in the state, over a N5 million fraud case.

The former lawmaker was convicted on three counts leveled 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 February 17, 2025, one Aisha Yusuf of Hadejia Local Government Area, Jigawa State, through her legal representatives, Adamu Garba and Muhammad Alhaji, lodged a written complaint dated February 17, 2025, 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 N5 million from her under the pretext that the amount 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 mischievously sent his wife to an unknown location in an attempt to evade their obligation.

Upon investigation by the Commission, during which the defendant made a confessional statement, other evidence gathered by the Commission’s investigators established his 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 proof of its case before closing.

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

Both parties thereafter filed and adopted their final written addresses.

On October 8, 2025, Chief Magistrate Abdullahi Ibrahim Aliyu of Chief Magistrate Court II, Dutse, delivered judgment in favor of the JSPCACC, convicting and sentencing the defendant after careful consideration of the evidence presented by the Commission’s prosecution team as follows:

• A fine of N50,000 or three months’ imprisonment for the offence of criminal breach of trust.
• A fine of N50,000 or three months’ imprisonment for the offence of cheating.
• A fine of N30,000 or two months’ imprisonment.
• Payment of N5,000,000 as restitution/compensation to the nominal complainant, or five years’ imprisonment in default.
• Payment of N250,000 to cover prosecution expenses, or four months’ imprisonment in default.

The court ordered that all sentences shall run consecutively.