BEVERLY HILLS, February 08, (THEWILL) – A former governor of Katsina State,
Ibrahim Shema, broke down in tears after operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, rearrested him on Tuesday.
His re-arrest took place after the adjournment for ruling on his motion challenging the jurisdiction of the state High Court to hear his case on alleged corruption which was preferred against him by the EFCC.
Shema initially resisted the attempt to re-arrest him at a Katsina High Court where he was arraigned on a 22-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of public funds.
Immediately after the court’s sitting, Shema who came out with his defence lawyers headed by J.B Dawodu SAN, was instantly approached by an EFCC official notifying him of his re-arrest.
In an ensuing argument between the EFCC official and the former governor, pandemonium broke out in the court premises as the operatives of the anti-graft agency laid ambush by blocking all the exits of the premises to forestall any resistance.
Shema who had almost driven out of the premises, suddenly returned and entered the court room sensing that he will be rearrested by the heavily-armed EFCC operatives.
Dauda also immediately went back to the judge requesting for the protection of his client from the anti-graft agency.
However, the counsel to the prosecution promised that they would not arrest Shema on the very case before the judge, because there was an administrative bail subsisting.
But as the situation became rowdy, the former governor broke down in tears. The standoff lasted for about an hour until he was smuggled into another black tinted SUV with registration number ABJ 679 AZ.
He had come into the court at about 9am in a black Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, with registration number: ABJ 607 CV, alongside his aide. The former governor had protested being humiliated publicly.
While the drama lasted, the EFCC and police immediately called for reinforcement, despite the pleas from the former governor’s counsel.
Both parties eventually agreed to meet at the police commissioner’s office situated near the court, along Daura road.
Shema and three others were arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Maikanti Bako of the Katsina State High Court, when the judge adjourned ruling on the matter till February 21.
The EFCC had in September declared the former governor wanted for allegedly refusing to honour its invitation.
Shema had denied the allegations of corruption levelled against him, accusing his successor, Bello Masari, of witch-hunting him.
He and three others were charged with criminal breach, abuse of office and conversion of public funds to the tune of over N11 billion.
