The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the tenure of Senator Bukola Saraki as Senate President between 2015 and 2019, Herald Nigeria has learnt.
The EFCC had written a letter to the Clerk of the Senate, demanding the receipts, cash books and documents of the contracts of Saraki’s office.
The directive was contained in a letter signed by the EFCC’s Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, where the said the commission was investigating cases of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering.
In the letter with reference number CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/CMU/SAK/Vol1/168, the commission asked the clerk to also attach any other information that might assist the anti-graft agency in its investigation.
The letter titled, ‘Investigation activities. Re: Office of the President of the Senate, read in part, “This commission is investigating a case of conspiracy, stealing and money laundering in which the need to obtain certain clarification in respect of transaction carried out in the above mentioned office has become imperative.
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“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to avail us with the certified true copies of the following: All cash books, payment vouchers, contract award letters, evidence of contract bidding, agreement and certificate of contract completion from 2015 till date.
“Certified true copies of all financial retirement made within the same period and any other information that may assist the commission in its investigation.”
The move was believed to have informed Saraki to approach Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, claiming his human rights were being abused.
Saraki had also written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, saying: “My Lord, in the National Assembly, the presiding officers or the political leadership does not handle contract awards or financial matters of the federal legislature. The bureaucracy, that is the body we call National Assembly Management, does.
“Thus, this wild goose chase of the EFCC under Mr. Ibrahim Magu in which my office is singled out, while that of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and other presiding officers are left out, is just a continuation of his hidden agenda to wage a war of attrition and campaign of calumny against my person and office.”
He argued that Magu was haunting him for purportedly preventing his confirmation as the Chairman of the EFCC.