Why We Seized Saraki’s Houses-EFCC

As part of efforts to investigate the tenure of Senator Bukola Saraki while he was Governor of Kwara State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly seized some of his houses.

The houses in question were subject of Saraki’s trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) at the beginning of his Senate Presidency.

The Guardian Newspaper report that the houses are located at 15a, 15b and 17, MacDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Guardian also reported that EFCC spokesman, Toni Orilade, when contacted, said he was unaware of the incident.

“I don’t know about the sealing of property belonging to the Senate President because I have not been briefed on any such development,” Mr Orilade was quoted saying.

A statement signed by Saraki’s spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has marked certain property belonging to Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, obviously under the claim that they are subjects of investigation.

“The action of the EFCC only reinforced our earlier stated position that their current investigation is mischievous, contrary to the tenets of the rule of law and only aimed at settling scores.

“This position is founded on the fact that these same buildings were the subject of earlier investigations by the EFCC, as well as the case initiated by the Federal Government at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“Also, the case went all the way to the highest court in our country, the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In that case, Dr. Saraki was discharged and acquitted because the courts believe the government has no case.