Saraki Arrested, Detained over renewed allegations of corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has held a former president of the Nigerian Senate, Bukola Saraki, in custody over allegations of theft and money laundering of public funds using a network of cronies and proxy companies. 

The suspected proxies, who executed purported contracts for Kwara State under Mr Saraki, allegedly made returns, for many years, to the former governor, forming an organised a network of dirty money flow.

The funds involved were huge, running into hundreds of millions in naira and hundreds of thousands in foreign currencies at various times, sources said.

Saraki, who arrived at the EFCC office around 2pm today, is still being interrogated presently.

The former Kwara State governor, was detained on Saturday, sources familiar with the development said, a situation that may trigger another episode of troubles for the politician.

As senate president between 2015 and 2019, Mr Saraki spent a considerable time facing allegations of corruption and false declaration of assets. He was acquitted by the Supreme Court in June 2018.

The former Kwara governor had earlier in the day attended the wedding of the daughter of Senator Shaba Lafiagi, Fatimah, in Abuja.