Aide condemns arrest of Sani by EFCC for alleged extortion

Special Adviser on Politics and Strategy to Senator Shehu Sani, has condemned the arrest of the senator that represented Kaduna Central by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), linking his arrest to the purchase of a Peugeot car.

The aide, Ahmed Suleiman, told The Guardian that the senator entered a deal to purchase the vehicle, which cost about N17 million from Alhaji Sani Dauda (ASD), a popular car dealer in Kaduna.

“We were shocked that the case of the senator’s purchase of the car from ASD could turn to his arrest when he entered an agreement to purchase a Peugeot car from him,” he explained.

According to him, Sani visited Dauda at home, when he was released on bail after his arrest.

“We went there together. When he was seeing him off, he told the senator that they have new Peugeot brands and said Peugeot 508 cost N17 million. Then he asked senator to visit him in office. That was where senator paid him part of the money. He paid $12,000 and later paid $13,000.

“ASD actually wrote his account number and gave it to senator to make the payment,” he added.

Suleiman lamented that it was the same car dealer that complained to the EFCC, leading to the arrest of Sani.

“ASD reported the issue to EFCC. If this issue goes to court, let ASD prove if it is Senator Sani that took money from him or the senator paid him the money. At least there is a proforma invoice issued to Sani and record of payment,” he added

EFCC arrested Sani for alleged extorting $20,000 from the owner of ASD Motors.

According to a source, he was subsequently granted administrative bail while he refunded the money.