The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reacted to
statement by Senate President Bukola Saraki accusing the agency of
‘witch-hunting’.
DAILY POST recalls that Saraki through Yusuph Olaniyonu, his
Special Adviser, lambasted the EFCC over its decision to investigate his
earnings while as Kwara State Governor.
He stated that the commission was asked to go after him on a
witch-hunt exercise by political opponents seeking to settle scores.
Responding to Saraki’s allegations that the ongoing probe
was a witch hunt, EFCC said it had hard evidence to probe Saraki.
The acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement in
Abuja on Wednesday, said Saraki was not above the law, noting that the
Commission was obligated by law “to enthrone probity and accountability in the
governance space, a duty it claimed to have pursued without ill-will or malice
against anyone.”
The Commission added that it possessed indicting petitions
and other evidence against the Senate President, stressing that “putting him
through a legitimate forensic inquiry was the legitimate route to establish his
integrity as a public servant.”
The statement added that, “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 over-arching public interest and due
process of the law.
“Against the background of the possession 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.
“We have the mandate to rid the country of corruption and
corrupt elements, no matter whose ox is gored.”
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