TheCable

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented fresh evidence to prove its bribery allegation against Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna central.

The case resumed on Monday at the federal high court in Abuja.

The EFCC is prosecuting the former senator on a two-count charge bordering on influence peddling and obtaining the sum of $25,000 from Sani Dauda, owner of ASD Motors, to allegedly bribe the EFCC to shield him from investigation.

He was also reported to have said he could assist Dauda in influencing the outcome of his case using his connection with Ibrahim Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

At the resumed trial on Monday, the EFCC through its 10th witness, Bako Aliyu, tendered a proforma invoice by ASD motors for the purchase of a Peugeot 508 car, valued at N17.5 million.

Sani had claimed the $25,000 given to Dauda was part payment for the purchase of the Peugeot vehicle.

But the witness said there was no evidence of vehicle purchase.

With the approval of the judge, the witness played an audio conversation alleged to be between the defendant (Shehu Sani) and the complainant (Dauda) which lasted for about 20 minutes. The conversation was in Hausa language.

However, technical hitches made it impossible to play the English conversation.

Under cross-examination by AA Ibrahim, Sani’s counsel, Aliyu admitted that he was not there when the $25,000 was handed over to EFCC by the complainant.

He also confirmed that in all the written statements obtained from the defendant, there was no admittance of guilt.

When asked if Ibrahim Magu, former EFCC acting chairman, was questioned, having been implicated in the petition, Aliyu replied in the affirmative.

He said Magu denied the allegations when he was interviewed.

The witness further told the court that the EFCC began the investigation after it received an oral complaint from Dauda.

The witness said he did not know if the complainant has any pending case with either the EFCC or the CJN to warrant the $25, 000 bribe allegedly paid to the defendant.

The case has been adjourned to March 16 for continuation.