The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) on Sunday said no amount of media campaign against its
Chairman, Mr Ibrahim Magu will stop the prosecution of the former President of
the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki.
Spokesman of the commission, Mr
Tony Orilade made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
According to Orilade, the
attention of the EFCC has been drawn to the false claim made by Saraki, who is
face investigation here in Nigeria.
“He 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 the 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 entitled,
“Magu begged me to help his confirmation by the Senate, Saraki tells CJ
Kafarati”.
“Saraki deviously chose to divert
attention from the weighty allegations of financial fraud trailing his eight
years stewardship in Kwara and leadership of the senate.
“Instead, he is coming up with
mendacious reasons on why the Chief Judge of the 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.” he said.
Orilade further said that
incidentally, the EFCC had 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-president of the senate to carry his cross and allow the judiciary to
perform its constitutional role,” he added.
The spokesman said it was absurd
for Saraki to be raising issues on what transpired during the confirmation of
EFCC boss in 2016 when he was 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 issues.
“Let it be stated in unequivocal
terms that the investigation of Saraki’s stewardship, whether as a former
president of the senate or as a former governor of Kwara, 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.
“They are 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 said.
A Federal High Court sitting in
Abuja had deferred hearing on fundamental right enforcement suits filed by
Saraki.
Saraki had filed the suits to
stop the EFCC from re-opening investigation against him.
The suits were originally
scheduled for hearing on Monday, June 24 but were however, adjourned till July
2 to await the outcome of a petition the EFCC lodged against Justice Taiwo
Taiwo who is presiding over the matter.
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EFCC what about Oshiomole, Fashola and Amaechi, why are you not investigating them?
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