Justice M.S. Shuabu of the Federal High Court in Kano has sentenced two men, Abubakar Husseini and Sahabi Adamu, to 49 years in prison for possession of counterfeit United States currency totaling 4,997 pieces of $100 bills.
The convicts were found guilty of violating Sections 5(1) and 6(2) of the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, Laws of the Federation, 2010. They pleaded guilty to a seven-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to the EFCC, Husseini and Adamu were arrested on May 30 while en route to Gwaram in Jigawa State to consult a marabout who claimed he could convert the counterfeit currency into genuine dollars. While the alleged marabout remains untraceable, a third suspect involved in the deal is currently at large.
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The breakdown of the fake currency recovered included multiple bundles containing 1,204, 882, 847, 823, 710, and 531 pieces, respectively—all in $100 denominations.
During Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC counsel Mustapha Maiwada informed the court that the defendants had entered into a plea bargain agreement in line with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. In response, the defense counsel, M.D. Isa, urged the court to exercise discretion in sentencing.
Justice Shuabu, in his ruling, emphasized the dangers counterfeit currency poses to the Nigerian economy and international financial reputation. He warned that if such fake money finds its way into the bureau de change system, unsuspecting individuals could face imprisonment abroad.
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“The essence of investigation in this case is to get the source of the fake currency. Law enforcement agencies must do the right thing to save this country from collapse,” he said.
He sentenced both men to seven years on each of the seven counts, with the sentences to run concurrently—amounting to a total of 49 years each but effectively serving seven years in prison.
The court also ordered that all the counterfeit currency be forfeited and destroyed, in line with the terms of the plea bargain.