We were told to implicate Shema for soft landing, witnesses told court

Two witnesses in the current trial within trial of former Governor Ibrahim Shema on Monday told a Katsina High Court how they were asked to implicate their former boss for soft landing during a meeting held at the office of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Both Hamisu Makana and Lawal Safana while being guided in evidence by their counsel, Barrster Uyi Uguumma, insisted that they were asked to do so to escape further prosecution by the commission.

They said the meeting had in attendance the state’s Attorney General, Ahmed El-Marzuk and Special Adviser, Rabe Nasir and took place at the EFCC office when we were invited for questioning.

Ibrahim Dankaba had in the last sitting told the court that his statements were obtained under duress which led to the trial within trial in the case.

Thereafter, Barrister Ugumma sought for adjournment to produce his third witness in the matter.

The presiding judge, Justice Maikaita Bako, then adjourned the case to May 27 for continuation.

It could be recalled that the EFCC had earlier dragged Shema and three others over alleged misappropriation of N11billion belonging to the state.