Authorities in the northern state of Jigawa say a Nigerian man duped numerous villages into demolishing their mosques by assuring them his “foreign NGO” would build newer, larger structures.
However, he vanished after collecting the roofs, windows, and doors that had been removed from the “small” mosques.
The defendant, named by authorities as Abba Haruna, 21, allegedly sold the items.
A judiciary spokesman in Jigawa state, Abbas Rufa’i Wangara, stated that 14 mosques were affected.
Usaini Wanzam Ilyasu, a traditional ruler in one of the villages, said the suspect even paid labourers who demolished their community mosque.
He stated that the individual had requested that local building block makers begin supplying materials to the purported construction site.
But after the suspected fraudster left, he never returned.
He was arrested after mosque leaders in another village he visited became suspicious and alerted authorities.
Although the guy was charged last week, the exceptional episode is only now being known.
He has yet to enter a plea and is due back in court on Thursday in Kiyawa town.
