The dreaded on-line news cable had in March 2011 reported Bankole as taking the EFCC boss to the cleaners on the fight against corruption in Nigeria, as the cable news quoted Bankole as describing the EFCC boss as corrupt, during a meeting he reportedly had with a United States envoy in Nigeria, Ms Robbin Sanders.
A national daily had early in the year carried verbatim, the controversial conversation between Bankole and the US envoy, even as the report was re-echoed by some news cables operated by Nigerians based in the US.
Bankole had immediately denied ever levelling any allegation of corruption against Waziri, describing the report by Wikileaks as false, although he admitted having a meeting with Ms Sanders which, according to the the rejoinder, did not last more than 20 minutes.
Wikileaks stantiated his claim on Farida Waziri by alluding to the case of former Delta State governor, James Ibori, with remarks that the EFCC boss and the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Micheal Aondoakaa have been working in concert to prevent Ibori from facing justice on alleged acts of corruption.
Feelers around the corridors of power are indicating that the denial of the report notwithstanding, the EFCC was crestfallen by the vibes generated by the reports as top officials had reportedly wondered why the former speaker who it believed had cases of corruption filed before them could make such a gaffe.
The anger in EFCC, according to findings, did not subside and was rather kindled towards the end of Bankole’s tenure in office as it exploited the scandal on N10 billion loan to fight back.
Bankole is currently being detained and investigated by the anti-graft commission over alleged unlawful N10billion loan secured by the House of Representatives from a commercial bank and the Management of the National Assembly.
So far, the anti-graft agency had quizzed the former Deputy Speaker, Bayero Nafada; former House Leader, Tunde Akogun and former Minority Leader, now a senator, Muhammed Ali Ndume in respect of the allegations, even as indications are rife that more former principal officials would equally be quizzed.
The role played by the former Speaker in the emergence of his successor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has also been linked to his present ordeal, since he was accused in government circles of working against the interest of the presidency.
Prior to the election of Tambuwal as Speaker, the former Speaker was reported to have fully endorsed the candidature of the representative from Sokoto State against the plan by the presidency to back Honourable Mulikat Akande-Adeola from Oyo State in line with a zoning arrangement.
Meanwhile, indications are rife that Bankole may not stay too long in the EFCC detention to obtain freedom on bail, although he will remain in Custody till next week to know fate on his application for bail.
The intricate nature of the case that made the EFCC to go after him, according to sources, has been a major reason why the commission may not keep him long in custody, giving that the Commission would have to arrest more top shots in the National Assembly on account of alleged acts of corruption.
Bankole had reportedly written statements which findings revealed would necessitate the quizzing of principal officials of the National Assembly, including top management officials of the National Assembly since the issues involving him are said to be institutionally inclined.
Source : Nigerian Tribune
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