By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
Justice Maikaita Bako of the Katsina State High Court, has dismissed the statements of the Ibrahim Dankaba tendered by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) in the case filed against former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.
Other respondents in the matter are former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sani Hamisu Makana, former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lawal Rufai and former State ALGON chairman, Ibrahim Dankaba.
According to the court, the 4th defendant, who is the Chairman of the Association of Local of Nigeria ALGON, made the statements under duress.
Recall that during the trial of the defendants, the 4th defendant in the trial, Ibrahim Dankaba told the court that his statements to the EFCC were obtained under duress with the threat that if he did not implicate the former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shehu Shema in the statements he will be detained and sent to the prison by the EFCC operatives.
The development led to a trial within trial to determine the claims of the defendant.
In his ruling on trial within trial, yesterday, Justice Maikaita Bako said “why should EFCC operatives in the course of interrogation of the defendant chase away the defendant’s lawyer and only obtained the statements after the defendant has been detained and subjected to inhuman treatment?”
Subsequently, the judge dismissed the statements and adjourned till December 11, 12, 2019 for continuation of the trial.
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