Senator
bukola saraki
EFCC Insists
Senator
bukola saraki
EFCC Insists on Prosecuting Saraki, Decries Media
Campaign against Magu
The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
EFCC, has been drawn to the false claim made by the former Senate
President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who in the face of ongoing
investigation against him here in Nigeria, 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 former Senate President and other
Politically-exposed Persons (PeP) are on course while Saraki and
his co travellers will surely have their day in court shortly.
Particularly, of reference is the report published in the Punch
Newspaper of Sunday, June 30, 2019 titled, “Magu begged me to help
his confirmation by the Senate, Saraki tells CJ Kafarati”, in which
Saraki deviously chose to divert attention from the weighty
allegations of financial fraud trailing his eight years stewardship
in Kwara State and leadership of the Senate.
Instead, he is coming up with mendacious reasons on why the
Chief Judge of 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.
Incidentally, the EFCC has 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- Senate President to
carry his cross and allow the judiciary to performs its
constitutional role.
It is preposterous for the ex-Senate President to be raising
issues on what transpired during the confirmation of EFCC boss in
2016 when he is 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 issue.
Let it be stated in unequivocal terms that the investigation of
Saraki’s stewardship, whether as a former Senate President or as a
former governor of Kwara State, 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, but 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 should therefore, rather than running from pillar to post,
allow the law to take its course.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
June 30, 2019