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Kano anti-graft agency secures impersonator’s conviction
By Francesca Hangeior
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Monday announced it had secured the conviction of two criminals who defrauded elder statesman Alhaji Aminu Dantata and former Minister Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo.
Additionally, the commission recovered N5 million, which the convicts had swindled from the business mogul, including N1 million belonging to the former minister.
Briefing journalists shortly after the court session, prosecution counsel Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata explained that Bukar Galadima and Sulyman Ahmed devised and executed a plan to defraud their victims.
Bukar Galadima impersonated former FCT Minister Mohammed Abba Gana, pretending to be ill and seeking medical assistance from Aminu Dantata. He requested N5 million for treatment, after which Dantata instructed him to provide his account details. Instead, Galadima forwarded the details of his wife, Sadiyya Abba.
The businessman subsequently transferred N5 million to the account to support the purported medical expenses.
The main culprit, residing in Kano, then sent N500,000 to his accomplice in Abuja, while keeping N4.5 million for himself.
Later, when Dantata contacted the former minister to check on his health, he realised he had been defrauded and reported the matter to the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, which launched an investigation.
The two suspects were arrested and brought before Magistrates’ Court No. 24 in Kano.
The Chief Magistrate sentenced the fraudsters to four years’ imprisonment each last week.
The pair were charged with criminal conspiracy, impersonation, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.
When the First Information Report was read, both pleaded guilty to all four offences. Prosecution counsel Barr. Zahraddeen Hamisu Kofarmata requested a summary trial under Section 129(8) of the ACJL 2019. The defendants were subsequently tried and convicted.
Presiding Chief Magistrate Umma Sani Kurawa sentenced the defendants to six months’ imprisonment for criminal conspiracy (or a fine of N30,000 each), three months for impersonation (or a fine of N20,000 each), one year for cheating (or a fine of N30,000 each), and six months for criminal breach of trust (or a fine of N20,000 each).
They were also ordered to pay N5 million in compensation or face an additional two years’ imprisonment upon the prosecution counsel’s request.
In addition, the two criminals used similar tactics to defraud former Minister of State for Housing Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo of N1 million.
The commission noted that while no formal complaint had been made by the former minister, the fraud was discovered during the investigation.
The commission recovered the stolen funds, which will be returned to Aminu Dantata and Alhaji A.T. Gwarzo.
Both convicts were also required to sign a bond for good behaviour.
News
See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
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“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
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The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
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Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
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