A former chairman of the Katsina State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Ibrahim Dankaba, on Wednesday alleged that the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ahmad El-Marzuq, told him and some other persons at a meeting to implicate a former governor of the state, Shehu Shema, who is standing trial for an alleged N10.8bn fraud.
Shema allegedly misappropriated the money belonging to ALGON when he was governor from 2007 to 2015.
Dankaba made the allegation at a Katsina High Court while being led in evidence by his counsel, Uyi Ugunnma.
Dankaba is the fourth defendant in the case.
He named those at the meeting to include Useni Dambo, Sani Hamisu and counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Offem Uket.
He claimed the meeting took place on November 16, 2016 at the EFCC’s Abuja office.
Dankaba said, “I was invited by the EFCC alongside Usman Dambo, Nasiru Ala, Sani Makarda and Lawal Rufai Safana,among others. On getting to the EFCC’s Abuja office, Abubakar Buba (an EFCC investigator) took us to an office where we met Abu Fari, Mr Edward (another EFCC investigator) and counsel for the EFCC, Offem Uket. We also met one Rabe Nasir, who is a special adviser to Governor Aminu Masari, and El-Marzuq.
“El-Marzuq asked Uket to brief us about the current development concerning the fraud probe. El- Marzuq told us that the Kastina State Government was serious about the case and that they were bound to recover money purportedly stolen.
“He said the EFCC did not have enough evidence to prosecute the case.
“We were told that we were not the targets. And that if any of us could give statements that would help them nail the first defendant in the case (Shema), such a person would be let off the hook.
“None of us said anything. The AG further said that he knew the first defendant and that he could not afford choice cars but added that he (Shema) now had properties.”
Dankaba insisted that the three statements the EFCC tendered against him before the court and which the commission wanted the court to admit as exhibits were made under duress.
But Uket insisted that Dankaba did not make the statements under duress.
While cross-examining Dankaba, Uket insisted that the opening pages of the statements pointed to the fact that he voluntarily made them.
However, Justice Maikata Ibrahim Bako will rule on Thursday whether or not the second witness Ahmed Aliyu is competent to testify in the case.
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