Tobias Sylvester
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has responded to the ‘witch-hunting’ accusation by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.
Saraki had asked the EFCC to stop witch-hunting him after the commission started a fresh investigation against him, while he was the Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011.
In reaction, the EFCC said Saraki has no need to fret as long as he has no skeletons in his cupboard.
The anti-graft agency, in a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Acting Spokesperson, Tony Orilade, noted that the commission has a sacred mandate to rid the country of corruption and corrupt elements and restates its unflinching resolve to achieve this no matter whose ox is gored. The statement partly reads:
“While it is his prerogative to ventilate his views on the matter as he deems fit, the commission takes great exception at the desperate attempt to cast a slur on its investigative activities by portraying Saraki as a victim of persecution.
“Furthermore, the agency finds the attempt by the Senate President to tie our inquest to his International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) appointment and his approaching life out of power as misleading.
“This is knowing too well that the background to our current inquiries reaches several years back.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the EFCC is obligated by law to enthrone probity and accountability in the governance space and has supremely pursued this duty without ill-will or malice against anyone.
“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.”
The EFCC said its probe of Saraki has was always guided by the overriding public interest. The commission advised the former Kwara State Governor not to fret, if he has nothing to hide.
