N3.4bn Police Fund: Pa Olusola Saraki’s case file disappears at EFCC
By Wisdom Patrick (Lagos), Alexandra Mede and Joe Nwankwo (Abuja)

• Perpetual injunctions bane of EFCC operations – Waziri


http://odili.net/news/source/2009/nov/19/404.html

The case file on the alleged N3.4 billion financial transgression of Olusola Saraki, Chairman of defunct Societe Generale Bank (SGB), is reportedly missing from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja

Saraki ran into trouble with the EFCC in 2007 when its former Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, declared him wanted over alleged fraud.

The EFCC also said money meant for policemen was trapped in the bank.

Saraki’s case file at the time stated that he in 2004 allegedly tricked the former Inspector General of Police (IG), Tafa Balogun, into depositing in SGB money belonging to police officers, including funds for pension and gratuity.

EFCC Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, explained on Wednesday that there might not have been any case file on Saraki, and if there was one, there was no way it could go missing.

What is documented, however, is that the EFCC invited him for questioning in 2007, but he failed to show up, which made the Commission to declare him wanted.

Saraki, former Senate Leader, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State, where his son, Bukola, is Governor.

Investigation at the Lagos and Abuja offices of the EFCC showed a catalogue of cases EFCC Chairman, Farida Waziri, inherited from Ribadu in 2008.

Some of the files, listed below, do not include that of Saraki.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose. Case file opened on December 17, 2007. Arraigned at the Federal High Court, Lagos on 51 counts. Granted N1.2 billion bail in 2007. Defence lawyer keeps filing application for long adjournments to frustrate trial.
Former Health Minister, Adenike Grange. File opened on April 2, 2008. Arraigned at the Abuja High Court on 56 counts. Granted N300 million bail in 2008. Defence lawyer often seeks long adjournments to prolong trial.
Former Minister of State for Health, Gabriel Aduku. File opened on April 2, 2008. Arraigned at the Abuja High Court on 56 counts. Granted N300 million bail in 2008.
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello. File opened on April 2, 2008. Charged to the Abuja High Court on 56 counts. Granted N10 million bail in 2008.
Former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye. File opened on July 13, 2007. Charged to the Abuja High Court on 14 counts. Granted N700 million bail in 2007.
Former Jigawa State Governor, Saminu Turaki. File opened on July 13, 2007. Arraigned at the Abuja High Court on 32 counts. Granted N36 million bail in 2007.
Former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu. File opened on June 11, 2007. Arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja on 107 charges. Granted N5 million bail in 2008.
Former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion. File opened on January 23, 2008. Charged to the Federal High Court, Enugu on 191 counts. Applied for plea bargain and convicted, but the EFCC appealed to seek stiffer sanctions.
Former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame. File opened on July 13, 2007. The Federal High Court, Abuja convicted him on 21 counts. He lost at the Appeal Court, but has appealed to the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Waziri on Wednesday identified the judiciary as the key to the successful elimination of corruption, describing as frivolous, injunctions granted by some courts that are inimical to the justice system.

She advocated a fundamental rethink of the battle against graft at the Judges’ conference in Abuja, where she warned that Nigeria may not realise its vision of becoming a developed nation if sleaze is not tackled headlong.

Her words: “I believe and rightly so, that judicial officers are partners of the Commission in overpowering those I call barbarians within the gates of the system. These are the corrupt individuals that stand in the way of economic progress of the country and will, at all times, corrupt the system for their selfish needs and greed.

“Judicial officers must help this country because so much hope is reposed in them. I believe that the proper, judicious, courageous, and innovative use of judicial powers can achieve results.

“I earlier cited the case of Bode George where a conviction was secured within 15 months or so and will want to contrast it with other equally important cases which were filed and have been pending for over four years not moving beyond the plea stage.

“I believe that the only difference lies in the innovative and judicious use of the powers of the courts. The courts can deny the corrupt the comfort of enjoying their ill gotten loot by ensuring that they do not abuse basic remedies provided in law for good cause.

“I speak of the grant of exparte injunctions which undermine investigations. At the moment, we are battling with several court orders restraining the Commission from ever investigating certain individuals and corporate bodies.

“We are yet to understand the legal reasoning behind a High Court restraining the Commission from carrying out its statutory duties, particularly in the face of notable pronouncements on this point to the contrary by the highest court of the land.

“I speak of perpetual injunctions which, in some cases, have become permanent immunity for some people who are under investigation, even where they have lost their Constitutional immunity.”

Waziri noted that the EFCC under her leadership has secured over 75 convictions, recovered over N240 billion funds, and embarked on anti-corruption enlightenment campaigns.

She reiterated the need for the creation of Special Courts to hasten trial in corruption cases.

Welcome to 9ja.

mafia is everywhere. EFCC should learn their lesson by now. Next time will be one of them missing.

Am not surprised at all.

I do not support using illegal means to deal with fraudsters but now I understand Ribadu's frustrations and why he often used other means to get to these corrupt people.

what bs

waziri was hired by the sarakis as a consultant like two years ago to find a solution to the case ribadu was building against them

oyb:

what bs

waziri was hired by the sarakis as a consultant like two years ago to find a solution to the case ribadu was building against them

The truth is coming out. God save Nigeria.

there is something called the enemy within . . . it might be possible that some EFCC staff joined specifically so as to infiltrate the organisation and make it impossible for EFCC to investigate certain corrupt individuals.

No2Atheism:

there is something called the enemy within . . . it might be possible that some EFCC staff joined specifically so as to infiltrate the organisation and make it impossible for EFCC to investigate certain corrupt individuals.

That was how EFCC was created in the first place.

I wonder why Ibori's file is not missing by now.

File will appear soon. The day of justice knows no missing file. The cup is full and already overflowing.