Fresh Probe: You Are Not Above The Law, EFCC Tells Saraki

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has said Senate President Bukola Saraki is not above the law.

EFCC’s statement comes on the heels of statements that a fresh probe against the Senate President is a “witch-hunt”.

In a statement on Wednesday, the EFCC said it has taken note of the reactions of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki to the Commission’s inquiries regarding his earnings as Kwara State governor as well as on the quality of his financial stewardship in the Senate.

The anti-graft agency noted that while it is Saraki’s prerogative to ventilate his views on the matter as he deems fit, the Commission takes great exception at the desperate attempt to cast a slur on its investigative activities by portraying Saraki as a victim of persecution.

Furthermore, the agency said it finds the attempt by the Senate President to tie its inquest to his International Human Rights Commission, IHRC appointment and his approaching life out of power as misleading, because the background to its current inquiries spans several years back.

According to the EFCC’s statement, the anti-graft body said it is the agency’s mandate to probe and ensure accountability continues to exist in the governance space.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC is obligated by law to enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space and has supremely pursued this duty without ill-will or malice against anyone.

The statement partly reads,”It is in the interest of the public, and for Saraki’s personal good, that he is not only above board, but be seen at all times to be so.

“Indeed, all the instances in which the EFCC have had cause to sleuth into his financial activities either as a former governor or President of the Senate were driven by overarching public interest and due process of the law.

“Against the background of the posse of indicting petitions and other evidence available to the EFCC, even Saraki will agree with the Commission that putting him through a legitimate forensic inquiry is the legitimate route to establish his integrity as a public servant.

“The distinguished Senate President has no need to fret so long as he has no skeletons in his cupboard.

“The Commission has a sacred mandate to rid the country of corruption and corrupt elements and restates its unflinching resolve to achieve these, no matter whose ox is gored”.