A prosecution witness on Monday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that David Daure attempted to use the name of a serving minister to defraud Senator Shehu Buba.
Rabiu-Rangers Abdullahi, the second prosecution witness, gave the testimony before Justice Rita Offili-Ajumogobia while being led in evidence by counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice took over the prosecution of the case in December 2025 from the Inspector-General of Police. The defendants were initially charged with offences including cybercrime, defamation and advance fee fraud, to which they pleaded not guilty.
Abdullahi, a businessman and politician from Bauchi State, told the court that he had known Daure for about five years through Facebook and that they communicated regularly.
He said that in September 2025, Daure posted on Facebook that a protest would be held in London accusing Senator Buba of sponsoring terrorism. According to the witness, Daure later sent him a screenshot of the post, knowing he was close to the senator.
Abdullahi said Daure claimed the protest was being organised by one George Onmonya and alleged that a Nigerian minister was sponsoring it. He added that Daure asked him to relay the information to Senator Buba.
The witness said the senator’s Special Assistant on Security later investigated the claim and found that no such protest was planned. Further communication with Daure revealed that he demanded £10,000 to stop the alleged protest, which was later reduced to ₦5 million.
Abdullahi told the court that arrangements were made to pay the money and that Daure was arrested when he arrived to collect it. He said he had recorded his conversations with Daure and forwarded them to the senator’s security aide.
During cross-examination, the witness admitted that some details, including the screenshot claim, were not contained in his police statement, but insisted he did not exaggerate his testimony.
After the cross-examination, the court discharged the witness and adjourned the matter until February 10 for continuation of trial.
The defendants are facing multiple counts bordering on conspiracy, cyberstalking and defamation under the Cybercrimes Act.