Date: 2013-09-11

A former Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been given time by the anti-graft agency to produce certain documents pertaining to the bond the state secured while he was governor.

This is even as the anti-graft commission reiterated that only Nigerians who run foul of the laws of the country have reason to entertain fear.

Saraki, who has been a guest of the commission for two consecutive days this week, has been under investigation over his handling of the finances of the defunct Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) in which the Saraki family had substantial shares, and with Saraki as a former Executive Director.

Currently, the EFCC is investigating his handling of the bond secured by the state during his tenure.

The spokesperson of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, who confirmed Saraki's presence at the commission's headquarters yesterday, said the anti-graft agency was not only restricting itself to the bond issue, but would also look into several financial dealings of the former governor while he was governing the state.

Meanwhile, the commission yesterday revealed that it had charged 368 cases to court and recorded 80 convictions at the end of August, 2013.

It also disclosed that it recovered N6.5 billion,  19.2 million Euros and 19,000 Pounds Sterling.

Uwujaren further added that: "Beyond the recoveries, EFCC had intensified the prosecution of politically exposed persons, failed bank executives, captains of industries, beneficiaries of fraudulent oil subsidy payments and senior civil servants involved in pension fraud.

"A number of cases for which investigations have been concluded, would be charged to courts across the zones where the commission maintains offices as soon as the courts resume from recess."

He also added that the commission deplored attempts by mischievous elements to distract it by imputing political motives to some of its investigations.

"The commission will not be cowed by such insinuations which are clearly unfounded. Nigerians can be assured that only those who run foul of the law have reason to entertain fear of the EFCC," he said.