Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Ibrahim Muhammad has distanced himself from the case involving former Senator Shehu Sani, who is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged extortion.
Earlier reports from LIB alleged that the lawmaker from Kaduna central senatorial district had solicited money from Sani Dauda, owner of ASD Motors, to influence the outcome of Dauda’s court cases using connections with the CJN and other judges.
In a statement released on Sunday, January 5, Muhammad stated that he has never met Sani and denied any connection to the case. The CJN also pledged to ensure that those spreading such false accusations would be held accountable.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the story circulating in some national dailies, where it was reported that Senator Shehu Sani allegedly approached Alhaji Sani Dauda of ASD Motors and purportedly demanded the sum of N4,000,000 to give to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Dr Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to settle some unnamed four Judges over a case he (Shehu Sani) allegedly claimed won’t see the light of the day,” the CJN said in a statement which Festus Akande, spokesman of the supreme court, issued on his behalf.
“Let it be known that if the statement credited to Shehu Sani was actually made by him, it is simply a blatant lie, a figment of his imagination and an orchestrated falsehood immodestly concocted to malign, smear, and disingenuously tarnish the good image and reputation of the CJN with a view to gaining financial reward.
“Even though the veracity of the true source of the unsubstantiated statement has not yet been ascertained to know if it was really from the former Senator, it is, however imperative to keep the records straight by letting the public know that Justice Tanko Muhammad has never, in his entire life, seen or had any form of encounter or interactions, either directly or remotely with Shehu Sani, let alone giving him assurances of what is not only unethical but equally despicable and inglorious, to say the least.
“The outcome of the ongoing investigations will determine the next line of action to be taken regarding the flagrant defamation of the character of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”