Two individuals have been apprehended for purportedly counterfeiting the signature of Marafan Gobir, the Hakimin (district head) in the Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto. This action was allegedly undertaken in preparation to lay claim to 40 rustled cows in the state.
The Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps apprehended the suspects, who were subsequently paraded at the NSCDC headquarters in Gusau on Tuesday.
Mustafa, represented by the Command’s spokesman, Ikor Oche, identified the suspects as Bashir Bala, aged 30, from the Unguwar Gwazar area of Gusau, and Usman Mohammed, aged 33, also known as Alhaji GEDE, from the Lalan Area in Gusau metropolis.
According to Oche, the suspects intended to utilize the forged signature to assert ownership of 40 rustled cattle.
“The said suspect was laying claim falsely to about 40 rustled cows which he claimed to be the original owner as stated in the forged document.”
“Exhibits recovered were a copy of the forged Document said to have emanated from Marafan Gobir Hakimin Sabon Birnin local government Area of Sokoto State,” he said.
“On the 21 March 2024, one Bashar Bala (m) 30 years was arrested at Zakat and endowment board where rustled animals are kept for claims by legitimate owners with a suspected forged document reading Marafan Gobir Hakimim Sabon Birnin local government area of Sokoto State.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed that the said document was actually forged and given to him by one Alh. Usman Mohammed aka Alh. Gede who happens to be a member of the committee.”
As per the corps, Gede admitted to colluding with the aforementioned suspect to make fraudulent claims regarding the ownership of the 40 rustled cows from the committee.
This conduct is reported to be in violation of sections 121, 63, and 59 of Law No. 18 of the Zamfara State Penal Code Law 2024.