By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria – May 13, 2026 (Series News Online) - A Chief Magistrate Court One sitting in Birnin Kebbi is scheduled to deliver judgement on Thursday in a criminal complaint filed by 175 widows and divorcees against an alleged job fraud scheme linked to the Kebbi State school feeding programme.
The plaintiffs are seeking the recovery of N5.25 million allegedly obtained from them under false pretences. They contend that the defendant, Hamza Abdullahi Sama, collected N30,000 from each of the 175 complainants with a promise to secure them employment as cooks under the state’s school feeding initiative.
Court proceedings, which have been ongoing for over three months, have witnessed multiple adjournments to allow the defendant an opportunity to restitute the alleged sums. Evidence presented before the court included mobile transfer receipts purportedly showing payments made to the defendant.
Speaking anonymously to our Judicial Correspondent after the last sitting, one of the complainants said the accused had not disputed receiving the funds.
“He did not deny receiving money from any of us. We submitted our payment receipts as evidence, and the court has admitted them,” the complainant stated.
Several of the women described their vulnerability, noting that they resorted to the scheme out of desperation to provide for their children following the loss of their spouses.
“Most of us are widows and divorcees. The defendant approached us and assured us of employment as cooks in the government feeding programme, provided we paid him thirty thousand naira each for appointment letters,” another complainant said.
The complainants lamented that the prolonged delay in restitution had worsened their economic hardship.
“For more than three months we have waited for the defendant to refund our money so we can pursue other means of livelihood, since the promised jobs did not materialise,” she said.
They also called on the Kebbi State Government and other stakeholders to intervene before the judgement date.
“We are appealing to the administration of Governor Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, as well as well-meaning individuals and agencies, to come to our aid. We have nowhere else to turn for our families,” one of the women told our correspondent.
The plaintiffs emphasized that their priority remained restitution rather than punitive measures against the defendant.
“Our interest is to recover the money we paid. We are not seeking for him to be sent to prison, but for justice to be served through the return of our funds,” they said.
At the last adjournment, the court granted a final indulgence after the defendant’s mother sought additional time to raise the money.
“The court has been patient and has involved the defendant’s family in efforts to resolve the matter. On the last date, it was his mother who requested one more chance for the family to source the funds,” a complainant recalled.
The court is expected to determine on May 14, 2026, whether restitution has been effected or if further judicial action will be taken against the defendant.
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