By Ifeanyi Nwoko
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that it was not prosecuting the President of the Senate Bukola Saraki in the recently concluded false declaration of assets case.
In a series of tweets on its twitter handle @officialEFCC, the anti-corruption agency made it clear to Nigerians that it was not the prosecutor at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) trial.
The EFCC also disowned counsel, Rotimi Jacobs saying that he is an independent anti-corruption lawyer to the state and could be counsel to any organisation.
During the two years trial of Saraki, Rotimi Jacobs was always refereed to as counsel to the EFCC, but the EFCC clarifies that he is not attached to the commission.
For our friends that do not know, the #EFCC was NOT prosecuting the Senate President.
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) June 15, 2017
I thought Rotimi Jacobs was counsel to EFCC ?
— irene (@irene_achamaja) June 15, 2017
The learned silk is an independent lawyer for the state. He could also be counsel to ICPC, NIA or DSS.
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) June 15, 2017
Meanwhile, the clarification of the EFCC has generated many reactions: While some Nigerians hailed the commission, others bashed it for losing many of its cases.
They called on the EFCC to deliver high profile convictions not just recovery of loots or forfeiture of money and assets.
Read some of the reactions of Nigerians on twitter
But the #EFCC was busy correcting people’s spellings on twitter instead of hiring d best lawyers 2 defend & stand 4 the country.
— Abdulmumin Imam (@AbdulmuminImam) June 15, 2017
Se who is talkin! Hw many conviction of high profile corruption cases hav u gotten since 2015?Recoverin ‘loot’ is nt conviction jst u knw.
— divine project (@welly98welly) June 15, 2017
We want convictions, we want 2 se d corrupt politicians put behind bars so dat they wil leave our political space. Dis is wat we want!
— divine project (@welly98welly) June 15, 2017
So much criticism…CCT nd EFCC…dont get it twisted abeg…even if efcc were prosecuting saraki…the planned drama will still continue
— Tilla (@tilla_boy) June 15, 2017
Even if they were, they could lose the case too. You can’t win all. Whatever it is, this is a battle lost but the WAR goes on & shall be won
— Aminu Mahdi (@_Aminu_) June 15, 2017
But one of your agent was a witness is that not?
— Jagaban(JNR) (@Akamss) June 15, 2017
I guess the Eagle has been shot on one WING lolzz..
Can’t fly above saraki— Pezin pikin (@Army_kiz) June 15, 2017
Hw abt the cases of fmr governors of Ogun and d rest…any conviction? We need conviction not forfeiture..
— olaposi richard (@depoiseuilli) June 15, 2017
The President of the Senate Bukola Saraki was on Wednesday, discharged and acquitted of all 18 count charges bithering on declaration of assets brought against him in the CCT.