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N84bn fraud: ‘Yari running from probe to become Senate President’
Facts have emerged that former Zamfara State governor and senator-elect, Abdul’Aziz Yari, ran to the judiciary to prevent his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and other anti-graft agencies over his alleged involvement in N84billion fraud as well as money laundering due to his ambition to become the next Senate President on the day of 10th National Assembly inauguration.
It is to this extent that the recent injunction secured by the former governor is adjudged as being capable of undermining the nation’s image on anti-corruption war.
Yari had secured court injunction before Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Abuja Division of Federal High Court to prevent his re-arrest by the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC, as well as the Directorate of State Services, DSS.
The former governor is currently under investigation on N84 billion fraud involving the former Accountant- General of the Federation, Idris Ahmed which he reportedly benefited N22 billion.
Besides, Yari is under investigation by EFCC over alleged financial infractions of $56,056.75 reportedly lodged in his account with Polaris Bank; N12.9million, N11.2million, $303million, N217,388.04 and $311.8million said to be kept in different Zenith Bank accounts in his name and his companies.
Sources familiar with the investigations by EFCC stated that the ongoing investigation of the N84 billion fraud by former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, in which Yari was linked and previously arrested, but released on bail is still pending with more information coming to light on the role of the senator-elect and his associate, one Anthony Yaro of Finex Professional Services believed to be a front that collected N20 billion of the looted fund on behalf of Yari.
The source in EFCC who wants to remain anonymous as he is not authorized to publicly comment on the sensitive case said “with the court order that we read in the newspapers, we may need our Legal Department opinion on what to do.”
He added: “In addition to new revelations on the massive fraud at the Accountant-General of the Federation’s Office for which some refund has been made, in the EFCC investigations of the ex-governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Bello Matawale, the name of Yari has also surfaced in the alleged massive looting of the resources of that poor state under his watch as governor.
“We are making efforts to locate him (Yari) for further interrogation in this regard.”
In similar manner, the ICPC was about to invite Yari for his role in the fraud of Paris Club Refund to governors when he was the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF for which about N500million and $500,000 have been forfeited to the Federal Government.
“The Senator-elect from Zamfara West is a subject of inquiry in our office. Beyond the Paris Club Refund looting, we are also investigating the disclosure that Yari spent at least $700,000 in Saudi Arabia on a trip for lesser Hajj which has raised suspicion of money laundering,” an ICPC source disclosed on why he may have approached the court to prevent his invitation.
Aside from running to the court to frustrate his imminent re-arrest, Yari is also reportedly planning to go underground in the coming days to prevent possible arrest for questioning days before the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
Another source disclosed that the DSS has also unearthed some information that the killings and banditry in Zamfara State may not be unconnected with the gold mining activities of Yari, another source of his unexplained wealth.
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