Man jailed for selling adulterated grains in Gombe

Justice J.A. Awak of the Gombe State High Court has convicted and jailed a 45-year-old farmer and marketer, Ahmad Isah for a year.

He was sentenced on December 9, 2021, for adulteration of maize and millet seeds, forgery, and counterfeiting contrary to 379 of the Penal Code brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Gombe Zonal Command.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges when they were read to him and was convicted accordingly.

Our reporter learned that Ahmad and some people now on the run often buy local grains including maize, millet, rice among others, and repackage in 5 kg bags and labelled as approved certified hybrid seeds, which they sell at a premium price to unsuspecting victims.

EFCC investigation revealed that the grains were adulterated and did not meet the minimum seed certification standard.

Furthermore, his company, All Farmers Variety Company, was neither registered nor accredited to engage in the sale/marketing of seeds in Nigeria.