Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Phillip Shuaibu never graduated from the University of Jos as claimed, a witness has told a Benin High Court.
Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zaknote Ventures Nig. Ltd, Mr. Zakari Ayonote told the same court that Shaibu never worked in his company as claimed by the embattled legislator.
Shuiabu is standing trial for criminal falsification of his tax clearance certificate, falsification of University of Jos certificate and claim that he worked for Zaknote Ventures Nigeria Ltd.
Testifying before the court presided over by Justice Esther Edigin, the prosecution witness Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen said his investigations as a journalist revealed that Shaibu never graduated from the University of Jos as claimed.
According to the witness, the additional discovery that the lawmaker falsified his tax clearance documents and never worked with Zaknote Ventures Nig. Ltd prompted his petition to the relevant anti-graft agencies.
Second prosecution witness Mr. Ayonote told the court that the accused person was never a staff of his company of which he is the Managing Director/CEO. According to the witness, the only relationship between him and Shuibu was when the latter approached him for a loan to contest the Presidency of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)
A former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Luqman Muhammed, said Ayonote, introduced Shuiabu to him.
He denied ever giving the accused any document to obtain tax clearance from the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue.
Under cross examination by Shuibu’s counsel Ken Mozia (SAN), Ayonote told the court that most of the staff in his company were casual workers who were often paid by hand.
He also denied ever applying for tax clearance for any of his staff let alone Shuibu.
Counsel to the prosecutors, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Mr. Igbadumhe told the court that persons suspected to be agents of the accused were threatening some witnesses.
He asked the court to summon witnesses who do not want to appear before the court voluntarily.
Hearing continues tomorrow.