Failed Abduction: Masari Is After My Life- Ibrahim Shema

The former Governor of Katsina State currently standing trial for alleged N11bilion fraud has cried out that the attempt by the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to abduct him on Tuesday was orchestrated by the governor, Bello Masari.

This was contained in a statement issued by his spokesman Mr. Oluwabusola Olawale said the failed abduction and desperation of Governor Masari and his aides have been confirmed that there is a sinister move to probably harm former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

“With this development, the life of former Governor Shema is in danger, and if anything happens to him, the people of Katsina state, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community should hold Governor Aminu Bello Masari responsible”, Olawale said.

“The failed attempt to abduct former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at the premises of Katsina State High Court by security agents  who were being used by Governor Aminu Bello Masari and his aides, despite the ruling of the Court to maintain status quo on the bail granted  Shema pending the determination of the matter before the Court,  has confirmed that the ongoing corruption case against Shema and his former aides is not about court trial and rule of law,  but sheer personal vendetta and a wicked attempt to humiliate, and harass the immediate past governor.

“It was on record that few days before the sitting of the Court,  it was reported in the media that there was a plot by Governor Aminu Bello Masari and his aides to humiliate, denigrate and condemn Ibrahim Shehu Shema, which we took for granted because we never thought they could stoop so low.  But the failed abduction and desperation of Governor Masari and his aides have been confirmed to us that there is a sinister move to probably harm former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Olawale also, denied media report that Ibrahim Shema was arrested on Tuesday, saying “it was a planned abduction which the EFCC headquarters later denied, saying none of its  official was assigned to arrest Shema.

“That was what led to the collapse of the abduction plan before Ibrahim Shehu Shema was able to leave the court premises, after being held hostage for more than one hour. He was subsequently able to travel to his country home, Dustin-ma to receive well-wishers who were there to sympathise with him on the attempted abduction.

“In the ongoing saga,  Governor Masari is the petitioner, accuser, investigator and jury. We have been vindicated that Shema is facing nothing but a political persecution and personal vendetta orchestrated by Masari and his aides. The failed abduction of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema within the Court premises has thrown Nigeria back into the Dark Age.

“It also further confirmed that Masari is the sole mastermind of  the witch-hunting of Ibrahim Shehu Shema, using state and federal institutions to carry out his wicked act”.

He however, emphasised that Shema is not afraid of Court trial, adding that he has submitted himself to the Court and he is ready to defend himself in an atmosphere of fair hearing,  Justice and Rule of Law.

“We are calling on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to call Governor Aminu Bello Masari to order on his use of state and federal institutions for political intimidation and harassment, before Masari and his aides, through desperation, truncate democratic institutions in Nigeria”, Olawale warned.