Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
have raided the Talata Marafa residence of the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, in Talata Marafa Local Government Area of the state.
The raid was said to be in connection with the ongoing probe of Yari’s eight-year tenure as governor.
They also searched the houses of the ex-governor’s brother, Jafaru Yari and his friend, Sha’aya Mafara.
Sources said about 21 luxury vehicles were found during the search on Yari’s compound.
Yari, who was out of the country as at the time of the raid, has been
summoned for interrogation by the anti-graft agency.
The former governor has been under investigation over alleged
questionable payment of N19b from London-Paris Club refunds;
N35billion spent on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); Ecological
and Stabilization Fund; and how he incurred liabilities from ongoing
projects to the tune of N151, 190,477,572.02.
According to findings, the EFCC operatives from Sokoto Zonal Office,
acted on a tip-off to go for the raid at Yari’s residence.
The intelligence alert led to the deployment of 15 operatives to
Yari’s country home in Talata Marafa.
The EFCC has been on the trail of the governor since 2017 but he
enjoyed constitutional immunity from either arrest or prosecution.
But, Yari was not at home when the EFCC
operatives stormed his compound.
A source said, “The raid of Yari’s
home was in connection with the ongoing investigation of the former
governor. He has some issues to clarify on his tenure.
“Most of the issues have been in public domain for a while, especially
alleged questionable payment of N19b from London-Paris Club refunds to
some consultants by the Nigeria Governors Forum and mismanagement of
Zamfara State resources.
“We are not pronouncing him guilty but we want him to appear for
interrogation on some of the issues we have highlighted for
investigation.”
The source added: “Such a raid is allowed
when we have superior intelligence on a Politically Exposed Person.
“For instance, our operatives uncovered 21 exotic vehicles in his
compound. Yet, we have an allegation that a part of the N35billion
budgeted for IDPs in Zamfara State was used to buy choice cars.
“The intelligence at our disposal made our operatives to search the
houses of Jafaru Yari, the ex-governor’s brother and his intimate
friend, Sha’aya Mafara. In fact, Yari’s brother was at his residence
when our team got there.
“The onus is on Yari to explain how he came about the exotic vehicles;
whether or not he declared them in his Asset Declaration Form; and if
these vehicles were in his exit Asset Form as a former governor in
May.
“Once he is able to justify the acquisition of the vehicles, the EFCC
has no problem with Yari. Otherwise, he has a question to answer.”
The source said some suspects have been facing trial over the
London-Paris Club refunds.
“We need Yari to come to our office to explain his roles. He was
central to the negotiation and disbursement of the funds.
“Some suspects are already on trial. A few others escaped abroad. But
since Yari has no immunity again, let him just clarify a few things to
us.
“We have summoned him, we are hopeful he will honour our invitation.”
The Acting Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade,
confirmed the raid of Yari’s residence.
“It is true we went to the house of the former governor of
Zamfara State, Yari, in respect of the ongoing investigation.
“Like we have always said, we won’t discuss our investigation with the media.
“At the appropriate time, when the investigation is ripe, we shall
proceed to prosecution and we shall carry the media along,” Orilade said.
