probe against former Senate President Bukola Saraki.
In a statement signed by the Commission’s Spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade,
the EFCC, accused Saraki of launching a campaign of calumny aginst the
anti graft agency.
The statement reads:
“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.”