Ex-Senate President, Saraki blames Buhari of using EFCC against him for political gains

Our reporter

The former Senate President, senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki at the weekend blamed the former president, Muhammadu Buhari of using the Economic and financial crime commission, EFCC, against him for political gains.

Saraki made this known while reacting to the supreme Court ruling, wherein it overturned the 2018 decision of the Federal High Court regarding an alleged N3.5 billion fraud case against Melrose General Services Ltd.

The former Senate President, Saraki in a statement signed and issued to newsmen said: “Yesterday’s ruling by the Supreme Court, which overturned the 2018 decision of the Federal High Court regarding an alleged N3.5 billion fraud case against Melrose General Services Ltd., has brought a long and arduous legal ordeal to a just and welcome conclusion.

“As much as this case was between the EFCC and Melrose General Services Limited, it was a proxy war, with Melrose serving as a mere pawn in a larger scheme to victimize and persecute me. It was always clear that this case, just like my CCT case, was a thinly veiled attempt by the Buhari administration to use the EFCC for political gain.

“The allegations of “Paris Club Fraud” were nothing more than a smokescreen designed to weaken my office as President of the Senate and tarnish my reputation through spurious accusations similar to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, from which I was also acquitted.

“As I said at the CCT, this case too was a politically motivated attack, not on corruption, but on the very foundations of our democracy. It aimed to undermine the independence of the judiciary, the separation of powers, and checks and balances—principles I have always fiercely defended.

“They hoped that by targeting me, they could sow discord within the legislature, turning colleagues against each other, ultimately weakening the institution of the Senate, and silencing dissenting voices.

“I am profoundly grateful to Almighty Allah(SWT), the ultimate arbiter of justice, for guiding the Supreme Court to this righteous verdict. I commend the judiciary for their meticulous examination of the evidence and adherence to due process, which has ensured that justice prevailed. I also thank Melrose’s legal team for their tireless efforts in seeing this case to a just conclusion.

“Moving forward, we all have to canvass for fairness in the fight against corruption. We should see this verdict as an inspiration to champion the rule of law, promote democracy and its institutions, and tolerate divergent views” he stated.