EFCC confirms Saraki probe to cover 16 years

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday said its probe of Senate President, Bukola Saraki will cover his activities from 2003.

The agency also denied that the investigation started after Saraki was appointed Ambassador-at-large of the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).

Tony Orilade, EFCC spokesman, urged the public to disregard the “false connection” which the report sought to establish between Saraki’s ambassadorial appointment and the probe into his earnings when he was a state governor.

A statement he signed read: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a publication and wishes to correct the deliberate falsehood and misinformation it served the general public”

“For the avoidance of doubt, investigation into the Senate President’s activities while he held sway as the governor of Kwara State started long before his nomination and emergence as IHRC ambassador.

“In fact, the Commission’s letter to the Kwara State Government House which sought an inquest into Saraki’s earnings as the state governor, from 2003 to 2011 was dated Friday, April 26, 2019, predating his announcement as IHRC ambassador at large which came on Sunday, April 28, 2019, with two clear days

“We, therefore, urge members of the public to disregard the false connect the writer sought to establish between Saraki’s IHRC ambassadorial appointment and our inquiries into his earnings as a state governor.

“We wish to restate our resolve to resist distractions from any quarter in our efforts to rid the country of corruption and corrupt elements.”