Bullion Van Saga: EFCC seeks petition to prosecute Bola Tinubu

Sade AdewaleOctober 18, 2019

0 2 minutes read

Social media activist, Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink, has clashed with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Twitter, over the failure of the anti-graft body to go after the All Progressives Congress national leader, Bola Tinubu, despite picture evidence of bullion vans laden with cash allegedly at Tinubu’s Bourdillon, Ikoyi home.

Nigerians have mounted pressure on the anti-graft office to open money laundering probe against Mr Tinubu, after the ruling party chieftain was seen on February 22 receiving at least two armoured vehicles believed to be bearing cash.

The development raised controversies because it came a day to the presidential election on February 23.

Mr Tinubu is a senior leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and a strong ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, who was seeking reelection at the time.

Critics said there was no doubt the vehicles were conveying cash to bribe voters with, especially since such trucks are used in Nigeria almost exclusively to convey cash by banks, government institutions and cash-in-transit firms.

**Picture evidence of bullion vans laden with cash allegedly at Tinubu’s Bourdillon, Ikoyi home**

Trouble started when the EFCC posted a tweet stating that it was empowered by law to investigate anyone who appeared to be living above his means.

The EFCC tweeted, “Section 7(1) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004 gives us the power to investigate properties of any person if it appears to the commission that the person’s lifestyle and extent of the properties are not justified by his source of income.”

The commission sent out the tweet amid criticism that it was raiding clubs and persecuting youths driving flashy cars.

In his response, however, Segalink tweeted, “I’m sure this section only gives you an erection when it concerns Yahoo Boys and opposition politicians. While the miraculous self aggrandisers in bed with those the head of the EFCC worships are immune to investigation.

“Daylight bullion van exhibition of Bourdillon is justified right?”

The anti-graft agency, however, defended its record, insisting that it had secured convictions of former governors and other politically exposed persons

READ ALSO: Yahoo Boys Would Be Useful For Our Agency – EFCC

It added, “Not to toe the line of politics as you may wish but the EFCC has successfully investigated, prosecuted and secured over 1, 245 convictions between 2015 and 2019 which included two former governors, several top government functionaries both in the past and present dispensations. Applaud us.”

An adamant Segalink, however, posted the picture of bullion vans entering Tinubu’s home on the eve of the 2019 Presidential election.

The activist, who spearheaded the #EndSARS movement, said the EFCC should take action on the bullion van incident before it would be respected by Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Drama As EFCC, Segalink Fight On Twitter Over Tinubu’s Bullion Vans

He tweeted, “Let me splash some colours on this to make it simpler to comprehend. Your tweet claims that all the EFCC requires to hunt down citizens is the display of wealth that can’t be justified. What justified the relocation of CBN to Asiwaju’s house on Bourdillon on the eve of election?”

The EFCC, however, asked Segalink to forward a petition to any of its offices on the matter.

“Kindly forward your petitions to [email protected] or visit any of our zonal offices or head office to submit a copy of your petition,” the EFCC said.