The Gombe State High Court 13, on Monday, has jailed one Usman Adamu Shagari for one year over the production and sales of adulterated fertiliser in Gombe Metropolitan City and Lariski Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Shagari, alongside four others, was dragged before Justice Fatima Musa on six-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2019.

Shagari pleaded guilty while the other suspects – Idris Ali, Muhammad Alhassan Alaramma, Dahiru Salisu and Adamu Abdurahman – arraigned on 10 counts bordering on the same offence pleaded not guilty.

According to the Prosecution counsel, M. D Aliyu, the convict and the other suspects were involved in buying the genuine fertilizer from recognised companies including Federal Government fertiliser before mixing with sand to maximize profit.

“When the commission was alerted, the intelligence section of the zone (ISOS) swung into action, on Saturday 27th July 2019 and raided three illegal factories located at Lariski Village in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State and Gombe Metropolis where fertilizer was manufactured,” he said.

The prosecution counsel M.D Aliyu further prayed the trial Judge to pronounce Shagari guilty as charged of the six-count.

In her judgment, Justice Fatima Musa sentenced Shagari to one-year imprisonment with an option of N150,000 as fine.

She ordered total destruction of the confiscated fertilizer.