Alleged $25,000 fraud: Court adjourns Shehu Sani’s suit to March 16

On the directive of the presiding Judge, EFCC’s prosecution witness played the audio conversation between the defendant (Shehu Sani) and the complainant (Alhaji Sani Dauda) which lasted for about 20 minutes.

The EFCC lawyer and the prosecution witness claimed that the conversation has been  translated into English language and when asked to play, they couldn’t due to technical hitches.

But Counsel to defendant, A.A. Ibrahim (SAN) while cross examining the EFCC’s prosecution witness, stated that the $25,000 was handed over to EFCC by the complainant (Alhaji Sani Dauda) and not his client, Shehu Sani, which the winess confirmed to be true.

While making reference to a proforma invoice previously tendered as part of evidence, the defence lawyer asked if it wasn’t in relation to a transaction involving car purchases, since the complainant is a  car dealer.
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. 

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.

Having listened to the Counsels, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter to tomorrow, Tuesday 16th March, 2021 for further hearing.