- Report ascribed to me is falsehood, fake news
- EFCC counsel denies criticising Buhari’s Govt
Admin l Sunday, July 14, 2019
ABUJA, Nigeria – A legal practitioner, Wahab Shittu, SAN , is angry over claims in the social media that he granted an interview during which he purportedly expressed disappointment in the anti-corruption fight of President Muhammadu Buhari, for dropping charges against former governor of Gombe State, Mr. Danjuma Goje.
Goje, a serving Senator and a former Executive Chairman of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board, Aliyu El-Nafaty; and S.M. Dokoro were put on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) for alleged N5 billion fraud. The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has since withdrawn the charges against Goje, stalwart of the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC).
But reacting to his purported interview, Wahab Shittu challenged any journalist to provide evidence that the criticisms against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari emanated from him.
Shittu, a prosecuting counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in a statement on Friday warned that “this falsehood must stop please.”
He was reported to have expressed disappointment with the way government withdrew the charges against Goje, despite sacrificing his life for eight years.
Wahab had allegedly said, “Honestly, this is very sad and a major setback for the Anti-corruption war of this administration. I’m awfully disappointed and pissed off. For eight years, l risked my life travelling to and from Lagos to Gombe and Jos prosecuting the case for the Federal Government.
“I called about 25 witnesses and tendered well over 150 exhibits admitted in the proceedings. The court ruled the defendants have a case to answer on two of the counts and the stage was set for their defence.
“Suddenly the AG (Attorney-General) took over the case from the prosecution/EFCC. l dutifully handed over the files with detailed handover notes to assist the AGF. And now this, the state withdrew the charges, eight years of trial time wasted. Sad. Very sad. Such is the colour of integrity under Buhari’s watch, and such is the fight against corruption.”
But Shittu in a statement described the comments ascribed to him as falsehood and fake news.
He said, “My Reaction. I never spoke to any journalist on this subject as erroneously reported and widely circulated on the social media. I challenge any journalist who alleges the contrary for proof.
“Any signed statement from me? Any recorded interview or any proof of having granted such interview as credited to me? None whatsoever. Ever since l handed over to the AGF, l have maintained a dignified silence on the matter. If l have concerns, l will speak up.
“The news is definitely fake News.l do not think it is fair to unfairly utilize my name to malign the name of the government or rubbish the anti-corruption agenda of this administration. Since my attention was drawn to the fake news, l have issued a disclaimer on major WhatsAppplatforms but it appears the fake news is still trending. This falsehood must stop please.”
