-Says only God will decide 2019
Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has described
the accusations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
that he purchased his Apo Residential House illegally as spurious,
contrived and baseless.
Senator Mark said today that the EFCC or any other agent of Government are
chasing shadows because the property was dully offered for sale, bided
for, and he purchased like any other person would in line with Federal
Government’s Monetization Policy that was started during the time of
President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said “I had the right of first refusal. Even if I did not purchase it,
someone else would have.
“I am a law-abiding citizen. I did not flout any law.
“Curiously, four houses occupied by the then Presiding Officers of
National Assembly were offered to the occupants. All of us, me as the then
President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu,
the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his
Deputy Bayero Nafada were all given the same offer.
“I am at a loss as to why it is now a subject of contention.
“If this persecution is about politics, my political party and the 2019
elections, I dare say that only God and Nigerians would decide. No amount
of persecution would alter the will of God.
“I had refrained from commenting on this because it is already in the law
Court. But they have taken the matter to the Court of public opinion.”
Senator Mark through his lawyer Ken Ikonne in the suit NO
FHC/ABJ/1037/2017 before the Federal High Court, Abuja had said that he
followed due process and legally acquired the property from the FCDA on
April 27, 2011.
Senator Mark is also asking the Court for a declaration that an order by
the Attorney General of the Federation and one Obono Obla of the
Presidential Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties compelling
him to vacate the aforesaid property without affording him a fair hearing,
amounted to a denial of his fundamental human rights, unconstitutional and
void.
He recalled that the Federal Executive Council decided to authorize the
sale of the properties housing the principal officers of the National
Assembly because the general security of the area had been
altered/compromised due to the sale of the other houses in the Legislative
Quarters to the public.
Consequent upon which the houses were offered for sale and dully purchased.
Senator Mark was given the first option of refusal upon which he dully
accepted on April 21st 2011 and paid the agreed purchase price to the
adhoc committee on sale of Federal Government houses on April 27, 2011.
Signed:
Paul Mumeh
Media Assistant to Senator David Mark