UPDATED: EFCC Detains Shehu Sani For Alleged Extortion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, for alleged extortion and name-dropping.

The vocal ex-lawmaker was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday, for allegedly using the name of the acting Chairman of the EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, to extort various sums of money from unsuspecting members of the public

Among other cases, Sani was said to have demanded $20,000 from a car dealer, Alhaji Sani Dauda, the owner of ASD Motors, who gave him $10,000 and later complained to the EFCC.

A source said, “The ASD Motors boss, Alhaji Sani Dauda, has complained against the alleged activities of the senator. He was said to have collected $10,000 from ASD Motors on the grounds that he is very close to the EFCC boss.

“He was subsequently arrested and granted administrative bail while the said $10,000 was recovered from him. He was asked to report but made himself incommunicado.

“Sani claimed that he was close to Magu and could help them to escape the agency’s scrutiny and punishments for economic and financial infractions.”

Dauda was said to have informed the EFCC that Sani allegedly demanded $20,000 to pass to Magu in order to resolve the issue.

“But the complainant stated that he could only provide $10,000 and thereafter proceeded to write a cheque covering the amount. The cheque was allegedly presented to Bureau De Change operator who reportedly gave them $10,000 equivalent to the senator – to settle the matter with the EFCC.

“He will likely spend the New Year day in EFCC’s custody as the complainant is expected to take up issues with him on Thursday, January 2, 2020,” a source stated.

A senior EFCC official also confirmed the arrest of the former lawmaker to our correspondent.

It was gathered that the anti-graft agency was forced to move against him because Sani failed to honour various invitations extended to him.

This, it was learnt, made the commission’s operatives to storm his residence and took him into custody where he may celebrate the New Year day.

Calls made to the ex-lawmaker’s line indicated that his phone was switched off.