At last, the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday carried out its “further” probe of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over his alleged involvement on April 5, Offa, Kwara State robbery incident.
The interrogation was, however, not held in any of the offices of the police force, but in the office of the Senate President at the Senate.
This was made known by Saraki’s media aide, Olu W. Onemola, on his twitter handle, @OnemolaOlu.
He said during the probe, Saraki reiterated his earlier statement that he had nothing to do with the robbery incident.
The tweet reads: “Further to the invitation to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, by the Police on July 23, 2018, and his written response to them on July 24, 2018 on why he could not see them that day — today at about 1:40pm, the Senate President met with a team of investigators on the Offa Robbery case in his office.
“Dr. Saraki used the opportunity to reiterate the fact that he has nothing to do with either the robbery incident on April 5, 2018, or any other criminal activity.”
It would be recalled the Saraki had expressed apprehension over his safety in the custody of the police where he had been invited.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had on Monday, sent a letter to Saraki to appear before the police 8.00 a.m. on Tuesday.
But in a reply dated July 24, Saraki said the police personnel who needed further clarification on the alleged role he played in the robbery case should rather visit his office.
The Senate President said his concern over his security was based on the harassment and threat which he suffered on Tuesday when police allegedly laid siege to his house in Abuja.
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He said in addition, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed that as a respect for the Office of the Senate President, in case of any request for further information, the necessary personnel should be sent to his office or that a written response should be obtained from him.
Saraki’s letter reads in part:
“As you are aware, the Deputy President of the Senate was unable to leave his residence this morning to preside over the Senate having been prevented from doing so by security agents. If he had been able to preside over the Senate, I would have honoured your invitation.
“The absence of both presiding officers would have voided the sitting of the Senate. This would have been damaging to national interest, particularly in the light of very important legislative matters that needed to be addressed in view of the imminent recess of the National Assembly.
“These included consideration of the Electoral Bill which was incidentally passed today. You will recall that Mr President had earlier directed as a courtesy to this office that in the event of any request for further information from me, you should either send your personnel to my office or obtain a written response from me.
“I need to place on record as well, that following the incident of being harassed and threatened at my residence by the police early this morning, I’m deeply concerned over my physical security. I request you therefore, to please assign your personnel who need information on this matter to meet me in my office immediately after plenary, today or tomorrow or at any other day at your convenience.”