The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a statement, said the convicts were apprehended by operatives of the commission around Wapa BDC market and Grand Central Hotel, Kano, following intelligence about their involvement in a syndicate operating bureau de change businesses without an appropriate licence.
He said they were convicted on a one-count charge bordering on engaging in financial operations without a requisite licence.
Oyewale said the convicts pleaded guilty to the offence upon their arraignment by the Kano Zonal Command of the commission.
The statement read, “Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court Kano on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, convicted and sentenced two illegal bureau de change operators to one year imprisonment each for operating BDC without an appropriate licence.
“The convicts: Munkaila Sani and Mohammed Sani were jailed after pleading guilty to one-count separate charge bordering on engaging in financial operations of bureau de change without a requisite licence, upon their arraignment by the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges when they were read to them. Based on their pleas, prosecution counsel, Aisha Tahar Habib prayed the court to convict and sentence them accordingly.
“Counsel for the defendants, Abdulrahman Isah, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the suspects are elderly and have become remorseful for their actions.
Consequently, Justice Yunusa convicted and sentenced the defendants to one year imprisonment each.
“The convicts began their journey to the correctional centre when they were arrested by operatives of the commission around Wapa BDC market and Grand Central Hotel, Kano, following reliable intelligence about their involvement in a syndicate operating bureau de change businesses without an appropriate licence.”
