Saadu Alanamu: I was harassed, coerced by ICPC to write statement – Namylas boss

By Kayode Adeoti

The Executive Director of Namylas Nigeria Limited, Salman Sulaiman, Monday, informed the court that the statement he wrote at the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) office concerning bribery allegation against Dr. Saadu Alanamu was not voluntary.
Recall that Alanamu, the former chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin is facing trial before Justice Mahmud Abdul Gafar of the state High Court for allegedly collecting N5million bribe from a contractor.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, the ICPC witness, Oluyemi Oluwaseun through the prosecutor, Sunny Ezeana sought to tender the statement obtained from the company’s director as exhibit before the court.
The defendant through his counsel, Tunde Olomu, notified the court to discountenance the statement, adding that his client told him that it was obtained under duress.
He submitted further that it was not voluntarily made saying, the accused was harassed, coerced and promised favour if he could provide certain information during the interview.
In order to validate the allegation, the trial judge however stepped down the matter for an hour even as he ordered for trial within trial.
However, after the break, the prosecution counsel argued against the defendant counsel’s submission saying the commission was not duty bound to harass anybody during interrogation. He further asked the witness to give descriptive picture of the ICPC interview room.
In his response, Oluwaseun said the room is illuminated and is air conditioned, saying, the accused was given free hand during the interview.
He added further that when the accused was summoned, he told the commission that he is asthmatic and would need fresh air while the interview lasts. “He was allowed many times to take fresh air, he was not harassed nor coerced.”
The judge however ruled, adjourning the matter till Tuesday, 24th October, 2017 for continuation of trial within trial.
At the court session on Tuesday, the prosecutor presented his second witness, Salami Olarewaju who is the head of interview team of the ICPC.
In his submission, he admitted to have personally conducted interview for the accused person, stressing that the statement obtained from him was voluntary. He added that he was not promised any future favour, noting that he appended his signature after the cautionary words.
The defendant, in his testimony affirmed that he was unfairly treated by the ICPC during the interview.
He told the court that as an asthmatic patient, he didn’t deserve the treatment meted out to him by the commission.
“I was harassed psychologically, as an asthmatic patient though not physical beaten” he said.
The judge however adjourned the matter till 22nd, 23rd and 24th of November, 2017.