The trial of Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Senate, continued on Monday before the Federal High Court Abuja with the 10th prosecution witness, Bako Aliyu, giving more evidence on how Sani allegedly extorted the Chairman, ASD Motors, Sani Dauda.
The trial was initially slated to review the audio evidence which captured Senator Sani’s voice, allegedly extorting $25,000USD from Dauda but due to a systems glitch, the interpreted English version of the conversation could not be played, prompting the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo to continue with the 10th prosecution witness.
The witness, Bako Aliyu, in his evidence, said there was a request for money by the defendant (Senator Sani) who asked the complainant for money to bribe the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Magu, and some EFCC staff following the issues Dauda had with the Nigeria Police.
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Aliyu also faulted Sani’s claim that the said $25,000USD, he gave ASD motors was part payment for the purchase of a brand new Peugeot 508 saloon car.
Justice Ekwo, thereafter, adjourned the matter to March 16, 2021, for cross examination of the witness.
Senator Sani is being prosecuted by the EFCC on two-count criminal charges, bordering on name-dropping, influence-peddling, and obtaining the sum of $25,000USD under false pretence.
He allegedly obtained the said sum on the pretext that he would use it to bribe the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, to shield the complainant from EFCC’s investigation and prosecution.