SARAKI FLAYS CORRUPTION CASE AGAINST HIM

…Says detractors will fail

Former Governor of Kwara State and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Bukola Saraki, Thursday berated a group he said was peddling rumour of corruption against him, describing it as frivolous and uncalled for

Saraki in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin by his media aide, Mr. Bamikole Omisore, denied any case of corruption against him.

The statement said: "The office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federal Ministry of Justice had reviewed and interpreted the case and found him not culpable in any corrupt practices.”
It also implored members of the public to disregard fictitious media reports being published in some national dailies (not THISDAY) against Saraki.

Omisore said: “We will like to inform the public that following the review and due interpretation of the case, by the office of DPP of the Federal Ministry of Justice, via a letter dated October 9, 2012, with reference number DPP/ADV: 061/12, addressed to Inspector General of Police (IG), it is clearly stated that Senator Saraki has no case against him as the allegation is frivolous.”

In its letter to IG, DPP further advised: “It would therefore be improper and unjust in the circumstances to hold Saraki and Mr. Pinhero or indeed the companies criminally liable for the internal actions and decisions of the bank and its officials bordering on exercise of discretion.”

Further to a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation by  Saraki’s counsel, the Attorney General office in a letter dated October 24, 2012, stated that, "after a thorough consideration of the investigative report and the relevant laws applicable thereto, the allegations against Saraki, are unfounded and manifestly unsupportable in law. It is our belief that the referred document has finally put the matter to rest thereby setting the record straight.”

Saraki, who said the media attacks against him was not unconnected with his efforts at revealing the corruption and corrupt people in the oil sector, added that the country had gained from the revelation of oil subsidy scam as exposed by him.

“It is a common knowledge today that one year after the fuel subsidy saga, Nigerians have all seen that the facts are true. Today, there have been changes in the process, government has been able to save billions of naira, illegal and unscrupulous traders and importers have been stopped from participation. Overall, the country has gained from the revelation of oil subsidy scam as exposed by Saraki,” he said.

The statement added that: “It has always been our position that the truth behind this blackmail is as a result of bold step taken by the senator over his stand on the corrupt practices surrounding the petroleum subsidy, which has caused him to be hunted. We had already stated at that time that it was strange that a matter that took place over two years ago, which has been concluded by the investigative authorities, resurfaced coincidentally at the time the motion on oil Subsidy came up.

"We are not unmindful of the fact that there are people who feel threatened by Saraki’s principled stance as they will not stop moving from agency to agency looking for one will cooperate and suit their strategy in finding a charge that will stick at all cost. It is our strong believe that the same way they have failed in their effort with Special Fraud Unit (SFU), they will definitely fail with others, as justice will always prevail. It has always been said that when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back at you.
"We will like to thank and appreciate all our followers and the public who stood by Saraki during this period for their unflinching support and belief.”

Source: Thisday