The former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, it was allegedly revealed, has said that the N17 Billion bond secured during his tenure as governor was spent on 15 essential projects in the state.
A reliable source close to Saraki craved anonymity and revealed that Saraki made the revelation during the two hours he was interrogated yesterday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC basically quizzed the former governor on reasons his administration secured the bond during the eight-year tenure.
It was learnt that he was asked to explain why he allegedly negotiated to pay only N1.5billion out of the N3.3billion pension funds inherited.
It was also revealed that the projects include: International Aviation College; Kwara State University; Ilorin water distribution project;Agricultural irrigation support project; Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre; Loan refinancing: Streetlight project; Ilorin Stadium project Kwara Shopping Mall; and rural roads.
The source disclosed : “The former governor made the EFCC to realize that the bond matter was approved by the state assembly and SEC which regulated and monitored how the funds were spent. At every stage of spending the regulatory agencies were briefed.
“What the funds were expended on are International Aviation College; Kwara State University; Ilorin water distribution project;Agricultural irrigation support project; Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre;Loan refinancing: Streetlight project; Ilorin Stadium project Kwara Shopping Mall; and rural roads.”
Besides, the EFCC also inquired into why N1.8billion balance was not paid to pensioners as required.
The ex-governor had been grilled on the failure of Societe Generale Bank (SGBN) in his previous appearance.
According to the sources, Saraki got to the EFCC office in Abuja at about noon and left at2pm.
An unnamed source within the EFCC revealed that the interrogation also centered on the legitimacy of the the bond secured, that is, whether it was backed by the the Kwara House of Assembly and at the same time appropriately spent and what it was used for.
“We asked the governor to make statement on how the decision to secure bond was taken; whether it had the backing of the Kwara House of Assembly or not and what it was used for”, the source said.
“Based on the petitions written to us, there were issues on N3.3billion pension funds. Some aggrieved petitioners alleged that out of the funds, only N1.billion was paid to pensioners. They claimed that the pensioners were forced to for go N1.8billion.
“Another matter we are investigating is the extent of the state government in the building of Kwara Shopping Mall, the source further revealed.
The source also noted that there are other issues under investigation and that the EFCC will brief the public as at when due, adding that the EFCC cannot “say if Saraki is guilty or not”.
Earlier, the former governor was summoned when he was away on lesser haji to the holy land. This was after the agency published in a daily newspaper of that Saraki ignored the invitation of the EFCC.
But the senators aide insited that saraki will gladly respond to the agency’s inquires and that it was needless to for the EFCC to have notified Saraki throught he pages of the newspaper prior to a written notice delivered to the former governor’s office.