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#Panamapapers: EFCC may probe Saraki, Mark, Ibori, others

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There seems to be no end in sight for the travails of the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as the EFCC on Wednesday hinted of plans to still probe the allegations of graft raised by the Panama Papers against Saraki and other highly-placed Nigerians implicated in running secret offshore companies.

Ripples Nigeria was reliably informed that others who may face fresh investigation at home over the allegations are ex-President of the Senate, Chief David Mark, Saraki’s wife, Toyin, ex-Governor James Ibori, Laolu Saraki, Obi Asika and Olufela Ibidapo.

A source within the EFCC who asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the matter, confided in Ripples that the EFCC has already obtained a copy of the documents implicating the Nigerians and was studying them.

Read also: #Panamapapers: David Mark, Fashola’s aide linked to secret offshore companies

“These allegations may lead to further clues on whether or not public funds were used in acquiring some of these secret assets. The job is easier for EFCC because the leaks from the files belonging to Panamanian law firm, Mossack Fonseca were products of International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), the source said.

Pressed further, the source said: “All we need to do is to work on the Nigerian angle too. We will verify these allegations to determine whether they are true or not. It is in the interest of the Nigerian public to get to the roots of these issues in the Panama Papers.”

The Panamanian law firm, reputed as one of the most secretive companies in the world, had helped clients to register offshore entities, some of which are then used to launder money, evade tax and dodge sanctions.

 

 

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