Former Zamfara Governor Ahmad Sani has sought an out-of-court settlement with a former business ally whom he allegedly used the police to brutalise over a business disagreement.

Mr. Sani, who appeared before the independent National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel investigating alleged human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units on Wednesday, sought the relief via his counsel, Efut Okoi.

Ahmed Wapa, a former business partner to Mr. Sani had filed a petition against two police officers, identified as Abdullahi and Zakariyya of the Area Command, Kano. Also petitioned are the Inspector-General of Police, Intelligence Response Team (IGP–IRT), Kaduna State and Commissioner of Police, Kano State.

In his petition, Mr. Wapa told the panel that on June 30, 2020, he was arrested in Hadejia, Jigawa, by a team of policemen who thoroughly beat him and took him to Kano. He said his case was then transferred to Kaduna after spending four days in Kano, on the instruction of the former governor.

Affirming his business relationship with the former governor, the complainant alleged that the police told him Mr. Sani lodged a complaint that he owed him N23 Million.

He then urged the panel to unfreeze his account with First Bank, Bakura branch. He also prayed to the panel to guarantee his safety as well as order the release of his truck.

The petitioner further sought the sum of N100 Million as damages from the police and Mr. Sani for tarnishing his image as a terrorist and closing his business.

He added that he could not do his business any longer as people now see him as a terrorist.

Mr. Wapa however agreed to an amicable resolution of the matter as requested by Mr. Sani before the panel.

The panel, presided upon by Garba Tentegi SAN, in the absence of the chairman, Suleiman Galadima, then directed Messrs Wapa and Sani to go for mediation.

The panel ordered the counsel for the panel to be involved in the mediation process.

The matter was then adjourned until March 15.