₦airaland Forum

A few days after the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) announced the appointment of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, as its “Ambassador-at-Large”, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has initiated a fresh investigation, which seeks to probe all salaries, allowances, estacodes, and payments he received as governor from 2003 to 20011. The probe coming eight years after Saraki left office as governor of Kwara State, was contained in a letter to the state government, through the Permanent Secretary, Government House, dated April 26, and titled, “Investigation Activities: Dr. Bukola Saraki.”

EFCC claimed in the letter that it was investigating an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering involving Saraki.


According to the letter signed by its Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, EFCC stated, “In view of the above, you are kindly requested to furnish us with the full details of all his entitlements to include but not limited to emoluments, allowances, estacodes, other fringe benefits and severance package while he held sway as the Executive Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

“This request is made pursuant to Section 38 (1) & (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004 and Section 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.”

However, because this is coming only a few days after Saraki landed an international appointment, many in the state believe the move is a mere smear campaign intended to rubbish the senate president before the international community. This is more so as he is the one singled out for such a probe among those that held office as governor in that period.

Besides, many see the latest investigation as curious because Saraki had been through a tedious prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal and was subsequently cleared by the tribunal and the Supreme Court.

“To think he is the only one who has been singled out for this kind of investigation, more so that we have probed further to check if that kind of letter was sent to anyone else and our checks revealed that he was the only one sent the letter except, of course, they just issued another one today. This, obviously, is a needless persecution and must be condemned by all,” said a stakeholder, who believed the anti-graft body had derailed.

The stakeholder, who preferred anonymity, said further, “Isn’t it curious that the EFCC wants to look at legitimate earnings like salaries, including condescending to the level of probing the esacodes and other emoluments as governor? Is the anti-graft body not a political tool already?”

The Supreme Court had in June 2018 cleared Saraki of all allegations of false asset declaration, after the federal government filed 18 counts of false and anticipatory asset declaration charges against him in 2015. Although all the counts collapsed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in 2017, the government appealed the ruling, culminating in a judgement by the Supreme Court.

But the Court of Appeal had earlier upheld all but three of the charges and returned them to the tribunal for retrial. Saraki’s legal team contested the verdict of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court, insisting he had no case to answer.
In its verdict, the Supreme Court said the Court of Appeal panel engaged in “forensic somersault” when it held that Saraki should answer three of the charges.

But while all the allegations of false asset declaration had been cleared at the highest court in the land, the EFCC has taken a different route, a move that has exacerbated suspicion that it is more of a political persecution than a prosecution.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/05/05/again-efcc-moves-against-bukola-saraki/?amp

Ok

EFCC could not investigate Tinubu from 1999-2003, it also failed to say anything concerning the immediate past governor of Osun, but they wants to investigate ABS. I dont like this selective investigation as it only shows the EFCC is working for the APC led federal government.

The guy above me with scam advert 'YOU ARE MAD'

Good job

We Already Know This Is Gonna Happened
And More Expected

My question is when is Buhari coming back?

Stay turn... Let Watch Out for part ll

efcc una busy body too much oi

Why can't they allow Bukola to retire in peace?
Its obvious the recent election and his loss has sent him to political irrelevance , at least for the next four years, that is if he could stage a come back.
What have they been looking at since he left Kwara government house 8 years ago?

No big deal. If books are to be checked, and you did not do any wrong you wont complain.

Lol.

It's called "Crush your enemy completely"

All I see is APC and the cabals trying to beat Saraki into line as regards their choice of candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly.

They will go behind the back door to negotiate dropping the move if Saraki stops moves against Lawan.

I said on the earlier thread. For EFCC to able to grabbed 3 of his money bags definitely it would get to him.

There can't be issue of loot or money laundering in Kwara without Saraki's knowledge.

yinkus6750:
Why can't they allow Bukola to retire in peace?
Its obvious the recent election and his loss has sent him to political irrelevance , at least for the next four years, that is if he could stage a come back.
What have they been looking at since he left Kwara government house 8 years ago?

There's no peace for the wicked, the Bible says. When he was having it rough and tough on Nigerians you folks were clapping and urging him on, in spite of the fact that we were the greatest victims of his wickedness. Now that the chicken has come home to roost, you're saying that Saraki should be left alone. As a matter of fact, THERE'S NO PEACE FOR THE WICKED!

I hope those clique of Saraki SAN are still handy? Looks like he will need them again.

APC still couldn't know they have turned to overnight joke with all these gimmicks they are playing. Probably they think Nigerians are still buying all these fake and senseless moves. Corruption is woven around them spreading like wildfire fire. Foolish party, foolish set of individuals.

Defender of corruption, Buhari just gave you work

This petition is fishy, I've read news here where similar Letters are sent and what is the end result? Futility. This is what we get when employment to this agency is done by "man who know man" not by merit. To further prove my point, most of the prosecuting counsels in past high profile cases are independent lawyers the commission is afraid to allow her internal officers handle these cases because, it will be a walk over for even a 2 years post call lawyer who knows what he is doing. How about they retain exceptional "hot heads" and first class law graduates? No, they won't. I've a fellow who is so rarely come to class when you ask his reason, he'll say "my dad has a slot for me waiting in EFCC" the way he says it confidently will disgust you.

ok

ekestic1976:
No peace for the wicked, the Bible says.

If not the likes of Saraki, Nigeria would have long become the Banana Republic. His emergence halted so many things that Buhari would have unleashed to the people. Even with a vibrant the NA and Judiciary he ha shown flagrance disregard for rule the of law and use of the military to mane and intimidate the citizens.

buhari has startted his witch hunting again

this is funny...El Rufai should also be probe when he was the minister for the FCT

Possibly this may be fake news. However, if it is not then this country is in trouble.