Ex-senate President, David Mark, Named In Panama Papers Leak

BEVERLY HILLS, April 05, (THEWILL) – Nigeria's immediate past Senate President, David Mark, has been linked to at least eight offshore shell companies while holding public office in the secret assets leak of files belonging to Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.

The firm, reputed as one of the most secretive companies in the world, helped clients to register offshore entities, some of which are then used to launder money, evade taxes and dodge sanctions.

In the documents Mark was allegedly linked the companies registered in the British Virgin Island.

They are Sikera Overseas S.A, Colsan Enterprises Limited, Goldwin Transworld Limited, Hartland Estates Limited, Marlin Holdings Limited, Medley Holdings Limited, Quetta Properties Limited, and Centenary Holdings Limited.

He who served as Military Governor of Nigeria's North-Central state of Niger, and Minister of Communications has been in the senate since 1999 representing Benue South Zone in the upper legislative chamber and was president of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015.

Senate President Bukola Saraki's wife, former Delta State Governor James Ibori, Saraki's brother Laolu, his associate Obi Asika and Olufela Ibidapo have also been named as running shell companies in the tiny islands.

Section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Act says a public office holder shall not, “except where he is not employed on full‐time basis, engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade”.