Aftermath Int’l Appointment: EFCC again goes after Saraki, probes salaries, entitlements as Kwara gov from 2003 – 2011 

…latest devt, another persecution of Senate President – SAN, others

By Mumini AbdulKareem and Kayode Adeoti

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 against the former Kwara State governor according to This Day newspaper on Sunday.
The investigation which seeks to probe all salaries, allowances, estacodes, and payments Saraki received as governor is coming eight years after Saraki vacated the office as the Chief Executive Officer of the state.
The report said the anti-grant body in a letter to the state government, through the Permanent Secretary, Government House, dated April 26, and titled, “Investigation Activities: Dr. Bukola Saraki” claimed it was investigating an alleged case of conspiracy, abuse of office, misappropriation of public funds, theft, and money laundering involving the Senate President.
But legal practitioners and politicians back home have knocked the EFCC over the action.
According to the letter signed by its Zonal Head, Isyaku Sharu, EFCC stated that, “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, many in the state believed the move is a mere smear campaign intended to rubbish the Senate President before the international community following his global appointment more so as he is singled out for such probe among those that held office as governor within same period.
The latest investigation, the report noted, was curious because after Saraki had been through a tedious prosecution by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and was subsequently cleared by the tribunal and the Supreme Court.
Quoting a stakeholder in the state who declined to be named, the paper said, “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 yet except, of course, they just issued another one today (Friday). This, obviously, is a needless persecution and must be condemned by all.”
This Day further, quoted the top politician that “Isn’t it curious that the EFCC wants to look at legitimate earnings like salaries, including condescending to the level of probing the estacodes and other emoluments as governor? Is the anti-graft body not a political tool already?”
But an Ilorin-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Saka Abimbola Isau has described the EFCC’s letter to the Kwara State Government as another way of politically persecuting the person of the Senate President.
Isau, condemned the anti-graft agency for fighting selective war against corruption in Nigeria.
He said it is apparent that the EFCC singled out Saraki for attack following his new appointment.
“I was surprised when I read it this morning, the case EFCC want to institute doesn’t have bearing, connection and nexus with when he was the serving governor of the state and his present appointment.
“I said it then that his trial with Code of Conduct Tribunal on false declaration of asset was political persecution, my position still remains, what they want to begin again is political persecution,” Isau stressed.
Similarly, a veteran legal practitioner in the state and former Secretary General of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Kwara State branch, Barr. Sulyman Abaya also berated the EFCC over the issue.
Abaya in his submission, corroborated Isau adding that the anti-graft agency plans to open fresh case against Saraki in order to tarnish his image before international community who has just bestowed an award on him.
He added that it’s no doubt EFCC is a tool designed to fight selected war against some people in the society.
He therefore, cautioned the agency from political influence by the powers that be in government saying the international communities are watching it.
“The development coming at this time is very suspicious. EFCC as we know has been in existence for almost two decades; it must not only be alive to its duties but also proactive and time conscious particularly in criminal wrongs.
“For international body to have bestowed on anyone such an award, they must have looked at his precedence. I’ve not seen a Nigerian Senate President being appointed on the heels of getting out of office. The letter written to the Kwara State Government is undoubtedly another political witch- hunt considering when the letter came.
“EFCC wants to bring to the awareness of everyone that Saraki doesn’t deserve the appointment. That is the game the Commission is set to achieve, that’s why the letter is coming at this time. The agency that supposed to be independent has deepened its neck inside political water.
“I want to warn that this development will send wrong signals to international community which in recent time has been lambasting EFCC for selective prosecution. It is another slap on the agency.
Also, the Kwara State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Engr. Kola Shittu described the move by EFCC as meaningless and uncalled for.
Shittu, who spoke during a telephone chat, last night, said such action can cause instability in the polity adding that it was not a civilised action in any context. It doesn’t make any meaning to those who are schooled. Are they saying he was collecting salary more than he was entitled to or what? This is just meaningless,” he added.