The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says no
amount of media campaign against its Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu will
stop the prosecution of the former President of the Senate, Dr
Bukola Saraki.
Spokesman of the commission, Mr Tony Orilade made this known in
a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
According to Orilade, the attention of the EFCC has been drawn
to the false claim made by Saraki, who is face investigation here
in Nigeria.
“He seems to have chosen outside the shores of Nigeria as the
launch pad of his campaign of calumny against the EFCC and its
leadership.
“We wish to state without any contradiction that the ongoing
investigation against the former senate president and other
Politically-exposed Persons (PeP) are on course, while Saraki and
his co-travelers will surely have their day in court shortly.
“Particularly, of reference is the report published in the Punch
Newspaper of Sunday, June 30, 2019 entitled, “Magu begged me to
help his confirmation by the Senate, Saraki tells CJ Kafarati”.
“Saraki deviously chose to divert attention from the weighty
allegations of financial fraud trailing his eight years stewardship
in Kwara and leadership of the Senate.
“Instead, he is coming up with mendacious reasons on why the
Chief Judge of the Federal High Court should ignore the request of
the EFCC, seeking the transfer of its cases from Justice Taiwo
Taiwo who curiously granted ex-parte order to restrain the
commission from performing its statutory duties.” he said.
Orilade further said that incidentally, the EFCC had filed a
detailed response against the judge’s restraining order and took up
issues over the controversial interim order.
“While waiting for the careful response of the CJ over the
commission’s request, we wish to advise ex-president of the senate
to carry his cross and allow the judiciary to perform its
constitutional role,” he added.
The spokesman said it was absurd for Saraki to be raising issues
on what transpired during the confirmation of EFCC boss in 2016
when he was no longer in charge of the senate in 2019.
“It is too late for him in the day, to be claiming innocence
over the confirmation saga when every Nigerian knew what transpired
under his watch.
“The Commission under Magu, has moved on and will not be
distracted over mundane issues.
“Let it be stated in unequivocal terms that the investigation of
Saraki’s stewardship, whether as a former president of the senate
or as a former governor of Kwara, has absolutely nothing to do with
the non-confirmation of Mr Ibrahim Magu as the substantive Chairman
of the EFCC.
“While the EFCC will not allow itself to be drawn by Saraki to
take up issues with him on the pages of newspapers, it is pertinent
to once again state in clear terms that the probes being carried
out by the EFCC are nothing personal.
“They are all about enthroning probity in governance, and
letting leaders know that even out of office, they will be held
accountable for their stewardship.
“Again, it is worth reminding Saraki that he has no need to be
scared of the EFCC and its leadership as long as he believes he has
a clear conscience,” he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Federal High Court
sitting in Abuja had deferred hearing on fundamental right
enforcement suits filed by Saraki.
Saraki had filed the suits to stop the EFCC from re-opening
investigation against him.
The suits were originally scheduled for hearing on Monday, June
24 but were however, adjourned till July 2 to await the outcome of
a petition the EFCC lodged against Justice Taiwo Taiwo who is
presiding over the matter. (NAN)
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