…as court rules on his motion to reclaim 13 seized properties
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA – Former Governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, has declared his preparedeness to appear in court to defend fresh charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, preferred against him over alleged diversion of N5.7billion Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, fund.

Ex Gov Ibrahim Shema

The former governor, via a statement that was signed by his media aide, Mr. Oluwabusola Olawale, said he was not afraid of a just, transparent and fair trial.

Shema who is billed to enter his plea before a Katsina State High Court on Monday, accused his successor in office, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of masterminding and sponsoring his trial.

He said: “Our position remains the same since Governor Aminu Bello Masari started his persecution, intimidation and harassment of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, by setting up over 30 different Committees to probe Shema administration and granted over 200 media interviews to call him a thief and continue to sponsors media trial against him.

“He also set up Commission of Inquiry, sponsor petitions to EFCC and ICPC, using Katsina State Attorney General Fiat to take Shema before Justice Maikaita Bako of Katsina State High Court while at the same time obtaining Fiat from the Attorney General of the Federation, curiously to take over Corruption case from ICPC before the same Justice Maikaita Bako to satisfy the interest of Governor Masari and his Co travellers”.

He alleged that the state government influenced EFCC to take him before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of Federal High Court in Abuja over a subject matter that was pending before another court, saying he was about to be docked before Justice Babagana Ahmed of the Federal High Court in Katsina over same issues and allegations.

“Former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema stands by his position that he is ready to defend himself in fair and just trial and therefore urging Nigerians and International Communities to read between the lines what is the motive of Governor Aminu Bello Masari who is behind trial of Shema for this desperation.

“And with the fresh suit before Justice Babagana Ahmed of Federal High Court Katsina, we urge Nigerians and International Communities to monitor closely the planned arraignment of Shema on the slated date to understand the motive and agenda of the fresh suit.

“We insist that Former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema is innocent and demands for transparent, fair and just trail based on the rule of law with the absolute belief that the God we worship is a just God who abhors injustice”, the statement read.

Meanwhile, Justice Kolawole will on Monday, rule on an application Shema who is already being prosecuted on 22 counts of corruption and financial crimes, filed to reclaim his 13 properties that were seized by the EFCC.

The court had on an application by the anti-graft agency, ordered an interim forfeiture of the properties.

However, Shema, through his team of lawyers, filed a motion before the court seeking an order setting aside the interim forfeiture order made on November 1.

He contended in the motion that the properties were legitimately acquired, adding that the ex parte application through which EFCC obtained the interim forfeiture order was a “brazen attempt” to acquire his properties “in the absence of a conviction.”