An alleged case of forgery and misappropriation has led to the arraignment of Abubakar Dandare, a Registrar at the Upper Sharia Court in Gusau, Zamfara State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It is claimed that Dandare unlawfully handled a sum of N3.8 million belonging to a deceased individual on December 4, 2012.
The prosecution, represented by Mr. Peter Attah, accused Dandare of dishonestly appropriating the N3.8 million meant as retention fee from the Zamfara Ministry of Finance for the family of late Alhaji Ladan Mada, an act considered as criminal breach of trust under Section 311 of the Penal Code CAP 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and punishable under Section 312 of the same law.
Additionally, Attah alleged that Dandare forged Mada’s signature in the Court Cash Deposit register with the aim of misusing the funds, an act which is in violation of Section 363 of the Penal Code CAP 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 and punishable under Section 364 of the same law.
In response, the Defense Counsel, Mr. Bello Umar, pointed out that the laws under which the accused was presented before the court have been repealed with the enactment of the Zamfara 2022 Penal Code, and as such, requested for the case to be dismissed.
After deliberation, the Presiding Judge, Justice Bello Shinkafi, granted bail to the defendant in the amount of N5 million along with two sureties who are to provide the same sum. The judge mandated that the sureties must furnish two passport photos and their contact numbers to the court. The case was adjourned until June 6, 2024 for further proceedings.