Sen Saraki |
The Special Fraud Unit, Nigeria Police Force, Ikoyi, Lagos, has
for the second time extended invitation to the former Governor Bukola Saraki of
Kwara State to explain his role over some alleged questionable transactions
while he was in the office which the Police is investigating.
According to a reliable source who confided in THE CITIZEN,
Saraki is expected report at SFU after Sallah holidays next week. At the
moment, it is not clear on the particular transactions the police is referring
to but a source said, “His recent invitation is a continuation of our
investigation on some transactions involving the former Kwara governor. His
expected to appear before the police immediately after Sallah break.”
It could be recalled the SFU had some time in the past invited
Senator Saraki over his alleged role in a loan waiver granted by the defunct
Intercontinental bank plc to four companies allegedly promoted by him.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner of Police, SFU, Mr.
Tunde Ogunsakin, said, “A sum of N9.97bn waiver was allegedly granted four
companies said to be promoted by Saraki while he was governor of Kwara State.
“This controversial waiver of N9.97bn represents about 82 per
cent of the N11.97bn indebtedness granted some companies in February 2010 by
the board of the now defunct Intercontinental Bank.
“The bank was then under the headship of Mahmood Alabi as the
MD/CEO. SFU is investigating this waiver.”
The companies said to have jointly incurred this indebtedness
are Joy Petroleum Ltd., Skyview Properties Ltd., Dicetrade and Limkers Nigeria
Ltd.
The debts originated from several loans/facilities worth
billions of naira granted the companies, which were allegedly promoted by
Saraki between 2004 and 2009 while he was governor.
Ogunsakin said, “The loans were used to purchase shares of blue chip companies and choice landed properties in Lagos and Abuja.
Ogunsakin said, “The loans were used to purchase shares of blue chip companies and choice landed properties in Lagos and Abuja.
“Some of the landed properties worth billions of naira used to
secure the loans were curiously released after payment of only N2.3bn out of
the N11.97bn jointly owed the bank by the companies.
“A Central Bank report of November 2010 had indicted the
management of the bank headed by Alabi for granting the waivers. It noted that
the companies’ chief promoter had ‘what it takes to pay the indebtedness.”
The statement said that a post-CBN Credit and Investigation
Committee set up by then Intercontinental Bank Plc to consider Saraki’s request
for the waivers had also cautioned against it.
The report had warned that the waivers might be called for a review in future as they constituted a depletion of the bank’s shareholders’ funds
The report had warned that the waivers might be called for a review in future as they constituted a depletion of the bank’s shareholders’ funds
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