By Our Reporter
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has returned home after hours of interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Channels TV reported during the 10 pm news bulletin monitored by TheNiche that the former governor of Kwara State was allowed to go home on Saturday night.
Saraki was detained after honouring an invitation by the EFCC at about 2pm.
TheNiche could not immediately confirm the exact time he was allowed to go home and under what conditions.
The Commission on Saturday in Abuja confirmed his arrest and detention.
EFCC spokesperson, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told the News Agency of Nigeria that Saraki was invited for questioning over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
He said that the former Senate President was in the custody of the Commission for continuation of interrogation.
The invitation and brief detention of Saraki for interrogation was happening days after a former Nasarawa State governor, Tanko al-Makura; and his wife, Mairo, were invited and interrogated.
The Commission had invited al-Makura and the wife over alleged breach of public trust and misappropriation of billions of naira by his administration.
Meanwhile, Saraki has confirmed to THISDAY newspaper that he was invited by the Commission for questioning.
The newspaper quoted him late on Saturday as saying: “They asked to see me and after attending a wedding reception, I drove there myself. And when they were satisfied, they said I could go. That’s it.”
His media office later followed up with an official statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu explaining what transpired.
The statement reads:
The Media Office of Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki will like to confirm that this afternoon, Dr. Saraki on his own volition visited the office of the EFCC to clarify any issue that the commission may want to raise with him.
It will be recalled that following the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the Fundamental Human Rights case filed by Dr. Saraki during the period of the former chairman of the EFCC which precluded the commission from investigating him until the matter is dispensed with, the commission at the last hearing on July 14, 2021, pleaded with the judge that the order was preventing them from doing their job.
Following this complaint, Dr. Saraki, as a responsible citizen, on his own volition approached the commission that at the earliest convenient date, he was willing to visit the commission’s office and clarify all issues they might want to raise with him.
He, therefore, visited the commission’s office this afternoon and answered some questions. He is back home. He was not arrested. Dr. Saraki also assured the commission that he has nothing to hide and will always make himself available to clear all issues that may require his attention.
This story has been updated
