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.
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