- Lawal Rufai, a defendant in the corruption case against Ibrahim Shema, accuses the EFCC of obtaining a statement from him under duress
- Rufai, through his counsel, urges the court to rule in a favour of a trial within trial in the case involving alleged corruption
- Justice Ibrahim Bako adjourns the sitting to November 28, for the trial within trial as prayed by Rufai
A drama ensued at the Katsina high court venue of the trial of former Governor Ibrahim Shema as Lawal Rufai, a defendant in the case, said the statement tendered as evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was obtained from him under duress.
The statement was tendered against the former governor, but Rafiu, a former permanent secretary in the ministry of local government, who spoke through his counsel, Aliyu Ahmed, and chieftaincy affairs, said he was forced.
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When the case came up on Monday, November 12, Vanguard reports that an operative of the EFCC, Abubakar Buba, stated that Rufai willingly volunteered and signed the various statements obtained from him in 2016.
But Rufai’s counsel, Ahmed countered the EFCC operative saying: “My client, who is the fourth witness, has told me that the statements tendered by EFCC before this court were made involuntarily. In short, my client said he made the statements under duress.
“I will, therefore, seek the indulgence of this court to opt for trial within trial.”
The report said the presiding judge, Ibrahim Bako, adjourned the sitting to November 28, for the trial within trial.
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Shema, a former governor of Katsina, is facing a 24-count charge of alleged misappropriation of about N11 billion of local government funds with three others.
They include the commissioner for local government affairs, Sani Makana; ex-ALGON chairman, Lawal Dankaba and Rufai.
Legit.ng earlier reported that The Katsina state high court, on Monday, October 15, resumed the trial of Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state, over alleged financial misappropriation of N11 billion during his tenure.
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Source: Legit.ng
