by Akan Ido

A telephone operator in the household of the former military ruler, Late General Sani Abacha, who is standing trial for alleged theft of Maryam Abacha’s jewellery has accused their son, Abdullahi Sani Abacha, of involvement in the crime.

The accused, Abdullahi Ali, who was charged to court along with three others for the offense committed in 2007, denied the allegation of theft and house breaking in his defense yesterday.

The accused who was represented by his lawyer, Barrister Abubakar Mohammad said the younger Sani Abacha gave him the jewellery when his mother travelled to Abuja and directed him to use the proceeds to buy him cocaine.

According to reports, the accused said, “He directed me to sell it and take the money to one Tony in Sabon Gari [quarters] to collect cocaine for him.”

He explained that Abdullahi Sani Abacha had strongly reprimanded him for disobeying an earlier directive, therefore,  he was obliged to do his bidding.