Nigeria’s former Senate President, David Mark, on Sunday slammed the
anti-graft agency, EFCC, for levelling unfounded and senseless
allegations of fraud against him.
The Nation newspaper had reported earlier in the week that the
politician was a guest at the anti-graft office and was grilled by
detectives.
Mr. Mark confirmed being invited by the EFCC in a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, on Sunday.
He said he fielded questions relating to 2015 campaign finance for political activities in his home state of Benue.
But he was particularly baffled about another question that bothered on alleged bribery of all Senate members in 2010.
Mr. Mark was Senate President from 2007 until 2015 when the All Progressives Congress took control of the legislature.
He, however, remained a member of the Senate, having been re-elected by
his constituents in Benue South Senatorial District in 2015.
He said they alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid over
N2 billion into a bank account run by the National Assembly during his
days as the president of the Senate.
He said the EFCC further alleged that the money was shared among the 109 Senators (including PDP, ACN, and ANPP) in 2010.
“Again, to the best of his knowledge, Sen. Mark is not aware of such
transaction. This simply did not make sense to any right thinking member
of the society.
“Sen. Mark wondered why anybody would think that PDP will pay money into
National Assembly account. He however clarified all the issues raised
before returning home,” Mr. Mumeh said.
The EFCC has refused to speak on the interrogation.
The 2015 campaign finance by the PDP has been a subject of intense interrogation by law enforcement agencies.
About $2.1 billion disguised as national security expenditure was
said to have been squandered on electioneering for the fated 2015
re-election bid of Goodluck Jonathan.
The probe, which has seen several former ministers and top
administration officials under Mr. Jonathan arrested within the last 30
months, has been deemed by critics as lopsided and an attempt to smother
opposition.
This is because law enforcement agencies are believed to have
refrained from probing or arresting persons associated with Mr. Buhari
or the ruling All Progressives Congress.