26th July, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
It is not yet two months after Dr. Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State, North-central Nigeria emerged controversially as the President of the eight session of the Nigerian Senate. Since his emergence, there has been a case of running from pillar to post to soften the hearts of those in the ruling All Progressives Party, APC, that had taken offence with some allegedly vowing to treat his disobedience to the party’s decision on the leadership of the National Assembly with the same quantum of disgrace he had meted to the party with his alleged ‘coup’ plotted with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which now has the position of the Deputy Senate President and occupied by Senator Ike Ekweremadu. What could now be the beginning of a long road for Saraki has gradually crept up in the invitation of his wife, Toyin, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The EFCC, one of the two major anti-graft agencies in the country which suddenly woke up to their responsibilities, summoned Toyin, a former First Lady of Kwara State where her husband still holds political powers even while in Abuja as a legislator. According to those privy to EFCC activities, the agency would be quizzing Saraki’s wife on 28 July concerning her roles in the money laundering scandal hanging over her. Part of this would also have to do with questionable inflow of funds into companies where she has interests.
Ironically, Toyin’s husband, in a bid to tally with the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, days ago, promised to support the President’s zeal to end corruption or reduce it in the country. Buhari on the other hand, has decided the direction he wants to take in the anti-corruption crusade. To him, there is no need to bother about shielding those within his party. Any of them who is found wanting should battle his innocence out without interference or intervention from the presidency.
With such clear signal from the President, Mrs. Saraki, whose husband is a top member of the ruling party, has joined the list of some of the high-powered Nigerians who have been summoned by the EFCC for questioning. Steve Oronsaye, former Head of Service, former Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa and his sons, former Governor Murtala Nyanko of Adamawa and his son have not only been guests of the anti-graft agency, they have been arraigned and granted bail. The commission has also grilled Ali Modu Sheriff, former Borno State in the North-eastern part of Nigeria over alleged mismanagement of about N300 billion while he held sway in Borno.
The next set of ‘invited guests’ includes Kingsley Kuku, ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan on Amnesty Programme and Zainabu Yar’adua-Dakingari, daughter of former President Umaru Yar’Adua and wife of former Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State in the North-western part of Nigeria. Zainab is to answer to questions relating to an alleged N2 billion fraud perpetrated during her husband’s tenure as governor and how her companies got a steady stream of cash while she was the state’s First Lady. She is now to appear on 27 July after she pleaded with the EFCC to allow her complete her lesser hajj which she was observing prior to the invitation.
Culled from TheNEWS Magazine. Read complete story here