PARADISE PAPERS: Saraki claims it’s political mudslinging

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has denied hiding any assets, or violating the laws of the land regarding the registration of a company, Tenia Limited, under his name.

He was responding to a recent report that his name popped up in the global list of infamy exposing some leading world politicians who use shell companies in tax havens to either conceal assets, evade tax, or launder funds.
That revelation, came only 18 months after a similar investigation exposed his alleged ownership of at least three secret offshore firms which he is said to have used in concealing assets abroad.

However, Saraki in his response, penciled the new development to mudslinging, which he said is common during times of heightened political activities.

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The leader of the Senate in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) said, “Once again, the issue of offshore company registration which was first raised in 2016 is being revived and thrown to the public space.
As a responsible public officer, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, will continue to explain his position. We know this is the period of politics when mudslinging is a common trick in the game.

“However, we will like to make it known that Dr. Saraki violated no law and did nothing illegal in the course of registering the company under reference, Tenia Limited, and afterwards.

“As we had earlier explained when the issue was first brought into public view, the company in question, Tenia Limited, was incorporated in 2001, long before Dr. Saraki ventured into politics and was elected into public office.

“The company from incorporation to date had never been used for any transaction. It held no asset. It had no bank account to the best of the knowledge of Dr. Saraki. Even if it did, the Senate President was not a signatory to such account. This is just a paper company and therefore could not have been used to hide any asset.

“The company, unlike the other ones investigated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), had been a dormant entity from creation such that when in late 2015, its existence was raised with the Senate President, he could not readily recollect that there was such a company linked to him. He then immediately directed that the company be struck off.

“For the umpteenth time, we will reiterate the fact that the Senate President has fully complied with the law on assets declaration, even as it concerns the company under reference”.

 

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