EFCC replies Saraki, says ‘You’re not above the law’ – TheNigerialawyer

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has reacted
to comments credited to the Senate President Bukola Saraki alleging
that the planned probe on his activities as the Kwara State
governor was political.

Recall that on Monday the anti-graft commission had announced
its plans to probe the outgoing Senate president especially his
earnings and expenditures while he held sway as the governor of
Kwara State.

Mr Saraki, in a swift reaction through his Special Adviser,
Yusuph Olaniyonu, had alleged that the commission was merely on a
witch-hunt mission on behalf of his political opponents seeking to
settle scores.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the EFCC’s acting head of
media and publicity, Tony Orilade, disclosed that the “moves were
driven by overarching public interest and due process of the
law.”

“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,” the statement read in part.

The statement read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC took 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.”

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