The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday released the former senate president, Bukola Saraki, hours after he was taken into custody and quizzed for questioning over alleged involvement in a series of deals by his allies the anti-graft agency said involved contracts, money laundering and corruption.
But, the former No. 4 citizen denied in a statement shortly after his release that he was never arrested.
Rather he volunteered to visit the EFCC to clarify issues relating to the application he filed last week in the Federal High Court, Abuja pursuant to his fundamental human rights, which the Commission was concerned about.
The development followed the filing of an application last week by the Commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja calling for an order restraining the EFCC from further probing the former Kwara governor.
A source close to the anti-graft agency in Abuja told this newspaper Saraki was quizzed for hours before being allowed to go home on bail.
The source said his questioning by officials of the Commission centred on alleged corruption involving contract deals and misappropriation.
The spokespern of the former Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said Saraki, who visited the EFCC office in Abuja “on his own volition, because he wanted to get clarification on issues the EFCC may have against him.”
“The Media Office of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki will like to confirm that this afternoon, Dr. Saraki on his own volition visited the office of the EFCC to clarify any issue that the commission may want to raise with him,” Olaniyonu said in a statement.
The statement read:
“It will be recalled that following the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Fundamental Human Rights case filed by Dr. Saraki during the period of the former chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, which precluded the Commission from investigating him until the matter is dispensed with, the Commission at the last hearing on July 14, 2021, pleaded with the judge that the order was preventing them from doing their job.
“Following this complaint, Dr. Saraki, as a responsible citizen, on his own volition approached the Commission that at the earliest convenient date, he was willing to visit the Commission’s office to clarify all issues they might want to raise with him.
“He, therefore, visited the Commission’s office this afternoon and answered some questions. He is back at home. He was not arrested. Dr. Saraki also assured the Commission that he has nothing to hide and will always make himself available to clear all issues that may require his attention,” the statement added.
