Date: 2015-05-17

The Special Assistant to Senator Bukola Saraki on Media Affairs, Mr. Bankole Omishore, raised a fresh alarm on Sunday over an alleged plan to tarnish Saraki’s image by some politicians who are opposed to his emergence as the next Senate President.

Specifically, Omishore, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja said the detractors have started misleading members of the public with false information that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had perfected plans to re-open fresh fraud cases against his boss.

He insisted that the political enemies, who he did not mention, were always coming up with allegation of financial fraud against Saraki, either whenever he is contesting elections or whenever he exposes the fraudulent activities of powerful individuals, using his position as senator.

He described as immaterial and belated, the latest false information that the EFCC was allegedly planning to reopen fresh fraud cases against the senator.

He said relevant authorities had since vindicated Saraki over the case allegedly involving him as a director of the defunct Société Générale Bank and the frivolous petition against him on his tenure as Kwara State Governor from 2003 to 2011.

Omishore claimed that the Police and the office of the Solicitor – General of the Federation had since, 2012, absolved his boss of any criminal allegation.

He also said there was no case currently involving him and any anti-graft agency in Nigeria before any court of law.

He noted that the allegation of financial fraud being played up against Saraki by detractors started since 2003, few years into his first tenure as governor of Kwara State.

He said Saraki had to waive his immunity as governor then, and allowed the EFCC officials to investigate the politically motivated allegations and petitions against him.

Omishore said the anti graft agency found the petitions to be lacking in merit or substance after it concluded its investigation.