Former Senator Shehu Sani has accused the Federal Government of ‘frame-up’ in the alleged extortion case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Sani, who was arrested on December 31, was alleged to have claimed access to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, some other judges and EFCC acting chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to obtain $24,000 from a businessman, Sani Dauda, owner of ASD Motors, with promises of influencing the outcome of some court cases involving Dauda.
However, in a statement on Friday sent to Punchng.com, Sani said the allegation was false and that the EFCC was unjustly detaining him.
“The extortion allegation is nothing but a wholesale falsehood, packaged in a phantom anti-graft facade to taint, stain and mute me. That shall never happen if I am alive,” he said, adding “my detention is unfair, unjust, prearranged and politically motivated.”
He also confirmed the claim by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, that the duo do not know each other and have never met.
“I have never ever met with the CJN or any judge or judges or ever called directly or indirectly to offer to give or to give directly or indirectly any form of gratification from Alhaji Sani Dauda,” he said.
“I have never ever discussed with ASD on any form of bribe or gratification to be given to any judge or any EFCC official.”
Sani’s residence in Abuja was searched by EFCC operatives on Wednesday. The anti-graft agency did not issue a statement on the outcome of the search.
