Mark: Why I Was Questioned by EFCC

By Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

Former Senate President, David Mark, yesterday disclosed that he was quizzed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gave N2billion to be shared among senators in 2015.

Mark who made the disclosure in a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, also 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 bordered on alleged bribery of all Senate members in 2010.

Mark was Senate President from 2007 until 2015 when the All Progressives Congress (APC) 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 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. 

“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,” 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 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 President Muhammadu Buhari or the ruling APC.