Shema vs EFCC: “Witness insists statement made under duress”

Former chairman of Katsina state chapter of Association of Local
Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Ibrahim Dankaba, on Wednesday
insisted that the statements as tendered before the court by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were gotten
involuntarily.

Dankaba who was being guided by his counsel, Uyi Ugunma, said
those statement were made under threat and constant harassment and
intimidation.

“I insist, my lord that those statements of 25/1/16; 31/10/16
and 16/ 11/16 were not voluntarily made by me. I made them under
duress, under constant threats and intimidation,” he said

He said the EFCC had at one time invited him alongside Nasir
Ala, Hussaini Dambo and others to the commission’s office in
Abuja.

He narrated that upon entering the office, he was moved to
another in where he met two serving Katsina state officials namely,
Ahmed El-Marzuq and Rabe Nasir alongside EFCC investigators of Abu
Fari and one Mr Edward.

He alleged that these men asked him to implicate the first
defendant, former Governor Ibrahim Shema and be set free in the
case.

During cross examination by EFCC counsel, Ufom Uket, Dankaba who
is the fourth defendant in the matter insisted on his stands of
being under duress when statement was obtained.

Meanwhile, the court has reserved tomorrow to continue the
matter after the EFCC counsel raised objection to a second witness,
Barrister Ahmed Aliyu who is billed to make statements. Aliyu is a
counsel to Dankaba.

They argued that Aliyu as a lawyer in the case cannot give
evidence.

The presiding judge, Justice Maikata Ibrahim Bako, is expected
to make a stand on the matter of being eligible to provide witness
or otherwise.