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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it was unaware of the sealing of multiple residential properties allegedly purchased by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, using state funds when he was governor of Kwara State.
Unconfirmed reports, which emerged yesterday, had it that aside sealing off the properties; the residents/occupants were directed to report to the commission’s zonal office along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi tomorrow. A certain Mohammed Rabo signed the letter of invitation.
When The Guardian contacted the acting Head, Media and Publicity of the commission, Toni Orilade, he said, “I don’t know about the sealing of property belonging to the Senate President because I have not been briefed on any such development.”
Last week, the commission said it had opened a fresh investigation into Saraki’s stewardship as Senate President, as well as a probe of his earnings as Kwara State’s helmsman between 2003 and 2011.
Meanwhile, Saraki’s media team said the latest affront by the EFCC is the height of mischief aimed at settling scores. A statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki said: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked certain property belonging to Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, obviously under the claim that they are subjects of investigation.
“The action of the EFCC only reinforced our earlier stated position that their current investigation is mischievous, contrary to the tenets of the rule of law and only aimed at settling scores. This position is founded on the fact that these same buildings were the subject of earlier investigations by the EFCC, as well as the case initiated by the Federal Government at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Also, the case went all the way to the highest court in our country, the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In that case, Dr. Saraki was discharged and acquitted because the courts believe the government has no case.”
[The Guardian]
