The office of Senator Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, who represents Zamfara West Senatorial District in the Senate, has strongly denied reports linking him to a recent gold seizure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
In a statement issued by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Abdullahi Abdulkarim Tsafe, the senator described the allegations as false, defamatory and politically motivated.
The statement maintained that Senator Yari has “absolutely no connection whatsoever” to the incident and accused unnamed political opponents of orchestrating a campaign aimed at damaging his reputation.
According to the statement, while the EFCC publicly identified individuals arrested in connection with the alleged gold smuggling case, Senator Yari was neither named as a suspect nor listed as a person of interest by the anti-graft agency.
The senator’s office argued that attempts to associate him with the matter were part of a coordinated effort by political adversaries uncomfortable with his growing influence and relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Having failed repeatedly in their efforts to diminish his standing through legitimate political means, they have now resorted to the weaponisation of falsehood, blackmail and media manipulation,” the statement said.
The statement further stressed that Senator Yari remains focused on his legislative duties and commitment to the development of Zamfara West and Nigeria as a whole.
It also disclosed that his legal team has been directed to commence legal proceedings against individuals, groups and media organisations allegedly involved in publishing and circulating the claims.
The senator’s office urged members of the public to disregard the reports, describing them as a politically motivated smear campaign lacking factual basis.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued any statement linking Senator Yari to the seized gold bars or the ongoing investigation.
