Saraki's Ikoyi Properties Not Acquired With Proceeds Of Crime, Court Says.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday rejected an application brought before it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking permanent forfeiture of some of properties of Dr. Bukola Saraki, president of the 8th senate and former Governor of Kwara State (2003-2011)
In its judgment, the Court declared that the agency failed woefully to produce any evidence to support its claims that the properties were paid for with funds sourced from Kwara State Govt House.
Saraki making the announcement via his official social media handles said,
" The Court further held that the evidence before it showed the purchase of properties was legal and as such cannot be said to be done with the proceeds of crime.
" If you recall, the Federal High Court had also previously rejected an application brought before it by the EFCC seeking the permanent forfeiture of my home in Ilorin to the Federal Government on the same grounds.
" In 2018, the Supreme Court held that there was no evidence to support the claims of corruption levelled against me by the agency while giving its judgment in appeals filed before it challenging the judgments of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
" I thank the Almighty Allah who has given me the opportunity to serve my State and Country; and who has given me the strength to continually fight to assert my innocence. By His grace, I have always served with diligence, honour and integrity and I will continue to do so.
" I have always believed in the judiciary as the bastion that protects and upholds the rights and liberties of citizens in any democracy. And for this reason, I express my gratitude to the Court for upholding the laws of our land. It is my fervent hope that this judgment will put an end to the campaign of calumny waged against my person and allow me focus on my life as a law-abiding Nigerian citizen, " he added.
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