Saraki's wife quizzed for hours by EFCC

 

FOR the second time in a week, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday quizzed the Senate President’s wife, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Saraki.

She was grilled for another five and half hours, making her appearance before EFCC’s crack investigators a cumulative record of 11 hours.

But Mrs. Saraki said the anti-graft agency only had a chat with her and not interrogation.

According to sources, she arrived at the EFCC office at 10a.m and left at 3.35p.m.

Mrs. Saraki’s supporters, including senators, who were with her on Tuesday, were absent.

It was learnt that she spent the day responding to “follow up questions on the statement she wrote on Tuesday”.

A source in the commission said: “We have had preliminary investigation with Mrs. Saraki, but we are yet to conclude our findings.

“We will still do more work on what she said on oath and crosscheck a few things before we can establish whether or not there is a prima facie case against her.

“Certainly, the investigation has not been concluded at all. We will brief the public as appropriate.

 “We may still invite Mrs. Saraki when necessary.”

But Mrs. Saraki said she only had a chat with EFCC investigators and not an interrogation.

The Special Assistant (Print Media) to the Senate President, Mr. Chuks Okocha, who spoke on her behalf, said: “Her chat with the EFCC was concluded on Wednesday and she is cooperating with them.

“Anytime they want her, she will honour the invitation.”

On Tuesday, Mrs. Saraki promised to cooperate with the EFCC and she asked the anti-graft commission to adopt global best practices.

The statement said: “As a citizen with utmost respect for higher standard of democratic accountability, Mrs. Toyin Saraki visited the EFCC at their invitation.

“Mrs. Saraki made herself available to assist the commission wholeheartedly with any lawful enquiries they may have.

“Mrs. Saraki will continue to cooperate with EFCC and she hopes for a prompt and positive resolution in the satisfaction of this enquiry.

“Having placed emphasis on the importance of accountability, transparency and diligent reporting, Mrs. Saraki maintained that she has always operated within the law and to the highest standard of global compliance in all her activities.

“Mrs. Saraki affirmed her willingness to assist the EFCC and expect that the spirit of this enquiry will follow global standard and principles of open democracy, transparency and impartiality that the EFCC and other similar organisations around the world are founded upon.”