The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today secured the conviction of a currency counterfeiter ABUBAKAR UMAR alias HABU DOGO before Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola on 6-count charge bordering on conspiracy and possession of counterfeit currency.

Dogo, 44 years old, has been in the illegal business since 1988. He was arrested at Sengere check point of Gierei Local Government Area of Adamawa State on 17 August, 2015 with several counterfeit foreign currencies  by officers of the State Security Service and later transferred to the Gombe Zonal office of the EFCC  for further investigation.

Investigation revelead that the convict who holds international passports of four countries, have defrauded people in several countries across the globe. A resident of Jambutu area of Jimeta, Yolanda, Adamawa state,  Dogo was first arraigned on the 4 December, 2015.

Count two of the charge read, "That you, ABUBAKAR HABU UMAR (A. K. A HABU DOGO) and LAWAL IBRAHIM (at Large), sometime in August 2015 at Joint Task Force check point, in Girei Local Government Area of Adamawa State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: being in possession of 100 pieces of counterfeit currency resembling 100 USA dollars Bank note and knowing same to be counterfeit, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 5 (1), (b) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions)  Act Cap. C35 LFN 2004."

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him. During the trial, five witnesses were called and twelve documents tendered  by the prosecution. Both parties adopted their final written addresses on 26 January, 2017.

In her judgement, Justice Bilkisu stated that " I am of the view that the prosecution proved its case of possession of counterfeit currency beyond reasonable doubt going by the testimonies of the expert, while the defendant admitted the ownership of the bags almost in a braging manner. I hereby convicted you Abubakar Umar alias Habu Dogo on counts 2, 4 and 6 as charged.

She thereafter sentenced the convict to seven years imprisonment.
                                             

                                             Media & Publicity
                                                21 March, 2017