Falana calls for trial of public office holders who were mentioned

chika ebuzor

April 8, 2016 3:17 AM

Nigerians who were named in the documents include former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, former Senate President, David Mark and wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Toyin Saraki.

Femi Falana

The leaked document exposed many top political leaders and business individuals from all around the world, who maintained shell companies in tax havens.

Nigerians who were named in the documents include former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, former Senate President, David Mark and wife of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Toyin Saraki.

Falana said "Private persons are not prohibited from keeping accounts wherever they like. However public officers have always been barred by the Code of Conduct Bureau and Code of Conduct Trubunal Act from operating foreign accounts in any manner whatsoever.

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“To that extent, former and serving public officers whose accounts have been published in the Panama Papers are liable to be prosecuted if they had failed to declare them in their asset declaration forms.

“Secondly, the onus is on them to prove that any funds in such accounts emanated from their legitimate income.”

There are also strong indications that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) might probe Nigerians who have been linked with hidden offshore assets by the leaked Panama Papers.

chika ebuzor