TheCable

Shehu Sani, former senator representing Kaduna central, has denied confessing to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged bribe allegation.

The senator was reacting to a report that he pleaded with officials of the EFCC after he was presented with 13 audio evidence of his involvement in an alleged $25,000 extortion.

In December, Sani was arrested by the anti-graft commission over the allegation and he has been in the custody of the agency.

The EFCC accused Sani of collecting money from Sani Dauda, owner of ASD Motors, promising to pass it on to Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the anti-graft agency, to influence an investigation.

He was also alleged to have said he could assist Dauda in influencing a case at the supreme court by bribing Muhammad Tanko, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), and some other judges.

The CJN denied having anything to do with Sani, while the former senator accused the agency of framing him.

In a statement on Saturday, Sulaiman Ahmed, senior special assistant to Sani, said the audio evidence was another attempt to tarnish his principal’s image.

“Our attention has been drawn to a news item that has been trending in the newspapers and social media, alleging that Senator Shehu Sani has begged after listening to some audios presented to him at the EFCC, that his matter with Alhaji Sani Dauda (ASD), should not further be taken to the media,” Ahmed said.

“Our first thought was to discountenance it because of the political dimension the issue is taking, which the public is much aware of. However, such a blatant lie, if left uncleared, could assume a life of its own.

“The statement is false, malicious and aimed at further denigrating the hard-earned image of Senator Shehu Sani. We wish to state without any contradiction that the phone call between Senator Shehu Sani and ASD does not signify any bribery issue.

“The selected cut and join conversations cannot stand as evidence in any court of competent jurisdiction. It is nothing but a desperate attempt to concoct evidence to sustain the ongoing media trial against Senator Shehu Sani.

“It should be noted that Senator Shehu Sani has been having various phone conversations on the conflicting issues with ASD. More so, ASD has already pleaded with Senator Shehu Sani on his mistake of allowing his son to write and for him to have signed the petition to EFCC.”