By Sulaiman Inuwa Zakiru and Aliyu Ahmed, for allegedly defrauding victims of N12 million by impersonating oil mogul Alhaji A.A. Rano.
The suspects appeared before Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu of the Kano State High Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretenses. They allegedly claimed to offer oil allocations on behalf of A.A. Rano Oil and Gas Limited.
According to the EFCC, Zakiru told the victim he would receive a direct call from A.A. Rano after a supposed courtesy visit. An impersonator later contacted the victim, convincing him to pay N12 million for petroleum products into two accounts linked to the accused.
The fraud was uncovered when the victim met the real A.A. Rano, who denied any involvement in the transaction. This led to an EFCC investigation and subsequent arrest of the suspects.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read in court. The prosecution requested a trial date and urged that the accused be held in custody until proceedings begin.
Justice Aliyu adjourned the case to May 22, 2025, for trial and ordered that the suspects remain in a correctional facility until then.
