Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared that its investigation of the immediate past President of the Senate, Mr Bukola Saraki, is not because he refused to confirm acting Chairman of the agency, Mr Ibrahim Magu, as the substantive head of the commission.
The EFCC gave this explanation in reaction to a newspaper publication claiming Mr Saraki said Mr Magu came begging him to be confirmed when his nomination was sent to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari. The agency described this as completely “false”, stressing that the ongoing investigation against former Senate President and other Politically-exposed Persons (PeP) was on course and that “Saraki and his co travellers will surely have their day in court shortly.”
The said report was published in the Punch Newspaper of Sunday, June 30, 2019 under the title Magu begged me to help his confirmation by the Senate, Saraki tells CJ Kafarati.
The EFCC slammed Mr Saraki, saying, “It is preposterous for the ex-Senate President to be raising issues on what transpired during the confirmation of EFCC boss in 2016 when he is 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 issue.”
“Let it be stated in unequivocal terms that the investigation of Saraki’s stewardship, whether as a former Senate President or as a former governor of Kwara State, 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, but 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 should therefore, rather than running from pillar to post, allow the law to take its course,” the commission.
