By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday adjourned the suit of alleged fraud of $25,000 brought before it against Senator Shehu Sani by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Continuing the case before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday, the lawyer to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ekele Iheanacho after addressing the Court, introduced the prosecution witness 10 and a staff of the EFCC, Bako Aliyu.
Bako Aliyu who was led in evidence by EFCC lawyer played the alleged audio conversation between Senator Shehu Sani and Alhaji Sani Dauda, proprietor of ASD motors who is the complainant.
The defence lawyer further asked the EFCC to prove the nexus between $25,000 and Shehu Sani’s request to use the money to bribe the Chief Justice of the Federation and former Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.
The defence lawyer further asked the witness to confirm to the court if there was anytime through out his twenty five days detention that Senator Shehu Sani admitted collecting money to bribe anybody and his answer was negative.
In the series of questions by the defence Counsel to EFCC’s prosecution witness, he said:
“When the complainant handed over the exhibits to EFCC, you were not there.
Can you quickly tell the court, what is the EFCC’s protocol for starting investigation?
“Am asking you, just be straight forward. What is the EFCC’s protocol for starting investigation?
Responding, EFCC’s prosecution witness submitted that investigation begins when an oral complaint is laid or a statement written.
He explained that all petitions are addressed and submitted to EFCC Chairman’s office for his approval before there are assigned to investigative officers.
“When the petition is approved, it can be assigned to any of the investigative officer”, Bako Aliyu said.
Defence Counsel further told Court that the EFCC obtained written statement from from Senator Shehu at three different times including when he was detained in their facility for 25 days, but the accused never admitted collecting $25,000 for bribery purposes.
He said the proprietor of ASD motors, Sani Dauda does not have any pending case at EFCC or the former Chief Justice of Federation have any issue that warrants collecting bribe on their behalf.