EFCC to resume probe of Saraki's business associate Kennedy Izuagbe after winning court case

ECONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials plan to resume their investigations against senate president Dr Bukola Saraki by prosecuting one of his close associates Lagos businessman Dr Kennedy Izuagbe.

 

Up until earlier this year, Senator Saraki was facing prosecution before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) over his refusal to declare his assets properly when he was Kwara State governor. However, the charges were struck out by the CCB but it appears that the EFCC plans to re-open the matter by going after the senate president's business partners.

 

Yesterday, a Federal high court sitting in Lagos struck out a fundamental human rights enforcement suit filed by Dr Izuagbe, for lack of diligent prosecution. On four different occasions, when the case was mentioned, the two parties were not in court neither were they represented by any legal practitioner and consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Olawale Faji struck out the suit.

 

In a bid to forestall his arrest and detention, Dr Izuagbe, alongside two other applicants, Carlisle and Investment and its directors/shareholders, had dragged the EFCC before the court. Joined as co-defendants in the suit are, the EFCC's director of operations Olaolu Adegbite and the attorney general of the federation.

 

In a statement in support of the application to enforce the fundamental right of Dr Izuagbe filed before the court by Mahmud Magaji SAN, Dr Kennedy Izuagbe who is the Managing Director of Carlisle Properties, stated that he was first invited by EFCC on 13 November 2014.and after series of interrogations he did not hear from EFCC until 29 April 2015 when he was again invited.

 

During the case, the EFCC requested for documents including the one relating to how Senator Saraki purchased his landed properties that Carlisle manages. However, Dr Izuagbe stated that he was surprised to read on pages of Newspapers how the EFCC has been manipulating media perception to the effect that the portfolio of his company could have been derived from the public service proceeds of its beneficial owners.

 

Based on the investigation being conducted and considering the weighty allegations levelled against Dr Izuagbe, he was invited by the anti-graft agency with a view to obtaining his reaction to the allegations. He made a voluntary statement and was asked to report back.

 

Following the court decision to strike out the case, the coast is now clear for the EFCC to resume and continue its investigation of Dr Izuagbe. It is not yet clear if fresh formal charges will be filed against Senator Saraki.

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