Saraki of Senate and Magu
Saraki of Senate and Magu of
EFCC
EFCC Replies Saraki, Remands Kwara Officials in
Custody
You Are Not Above the Law, EFCC Replies
Saraki
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has taken note
of the reactions of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to the
Commission’s inquiries regarding his earnings as Kwara State
governor as well as on the quality of his financial stewardship in
the Senate.
While it is his prerogative to ventilate his views on the matter
as he deems fit, the Commission takes strong exception at the
desperate attempt to cast a slur on its investigative activities by
portraying Saraki as a victim of persecution.
Furthermore, the Agency finds the attempt by the Senate
President to tie our inquest to his International Human Rights
Commission, IHRC appointment and his approaching life out of power
as misleading, knowing too well that the background to our current
inquiries reaches several years back.
For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC is obligated by law to
enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space and has
supremely pursued this duty without ill-will or malice against
anyone.
It is in the interest of the public, and for Saraki’s personal
good, that he is not only above board, but be seen at all times to
be so.
Indeed, all the instances in which the EFCC have had cause to
sleuth into his financial activities either as a former governor or
President of the Senate were driven by overarching public interest
and due process of the law.
Against the background of the posse of indicting petitions and
other evidence available to the EFCC, even Saraki will agree with
the Commission that putting him through a legitimate forensic
inquiry is the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a
public servant.
The distinguished Senate President has no need to fret so long
as he has no skeletons in his cupboard.
The Commission has a sacred mandate to rid the country of
corruption and corrupt elements and restates its unflinching
resolve to achieve these, no matter whose ox is gored.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
…………………………………………..
Kwara Officials Remanded in EFCC Custody Pending Ruling
on Bail
Four officials of the Kwara State government accused of money
laundering by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
were on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 returned to the custody of the
anti-graft custody, pending ruling on their bail applications at a
later date.
The EFCC had last week arraigned Abubakar Ishiak, Permanent
Secretary, Government House; Shina Akorede, Director of Finance and
Administration; Rasaq Momonu, Controller Finance and Accounts, and
Hafeez Yusuf, Cashier before a Federal High Court sitting in
Ilorin.
The EFCC accused them of making “cash payment of N20.3 million
to one Energy Multi-Trade Interbiz limited for services rendered to
the Kwara State Government House, which cash sum exceeded the
limitation of N10 million payable to a body corporate committing an
offence contrary to section 18(a) of the Money Laundering
(Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section
12(2) of the same Act.”
At the resumed sitting, counsel to the defendants, Abdulwahab
Bamidele, urged the court to grant them bail pending the
determination of the allegations levelled against them.
Opposing the bail application, counsel to EFCC, Christopher
Mshelia, urged the court to discountenance the application for
bail, and to accord the case accelerated hearing.
He said: “It is an obligation on the applicants to provide
sufficient materials for the court to sway the discretionary powers
in their favour.
“We submit that the court should consider the nature of the
allegations against the applicants.
“The reasons adduced by the applicants are too watery to warrant
the exercise of the discretionary powers of the court for
bail.”
After listening to the arguments, trial judge, Justice Baba Gana
Ashigir reserved ruling on the bail application till a later date
to be communicated to the parties.
Hearing on the substantive case has been fixed for June 23,
2019.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
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