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Saraki…docked
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The Senate President, Bukola
Saraki, who pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge of corruption and false
declaration of asset at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja on Tuesday, has
said that he is being tried for alleged corruption because he is the senate
president. Mr.
Saraki, who was granted bail on self-recognition after making his plea, tried
but failed to secure injunctions at a High Court and the Court of Appeal to
stop the trial.
In
a statement released by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Tuesday evening, Mr.
Saraki said he was singled out for prosecution because of his position as the
Senate President – an apparent reference to the controversy over his election
as leader of the Senate.
PREMIUM
TIMES report continues:
Mr
Saraki had defied the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which had anointed
Ahmed Lawan for the position. He got the support of senators of the opposition
Peoples Democratic Party, and won the seat.
In
the statement, Mr. Saraki said he previously refused to appear before the
tribunal because he was exploring the “opportunity to defend (his) fundamental
human rights in other courts”.
“As
I stated while taking the plea in the case, I reiterate my belief that the only
reason while I am going through this trial is because I am Senate President. If
I were to be just a Senator, I doubt if anybody will be interested in the asset
declaration form I filled over twelve years ago,” he said.
The
statement repeated a claim he made at the tribunal earlier Tuesday that trial
did not follow due process.
“This
belief stems from the fact that Section 3 (d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and
Tribunal Act provides that if there is a breach or non-compliance with any
section of the law, the person involved should be given the opportunity to either
admit or deny and that in the case of a written admission, no reference to the
tribunal shall be necessary,” he said.
“So,
if the CCB had followed the guidelines, procedure or the due process provided
in its own law, we won’t be having this trial.
“It
is my humble opinion that this case is a vivid example that there is still
flagrant disregard for due process in our polity. This trial is not only being
observed by Nigerians alone, the international community is watching because
Nigeria is a key member of this community. So, the executive, legislature and
judiciary should do the right thing that will truly demonstrate that we have
imbibed the spirit of positive change,” he said.
In
the statement, he thanked his colleagues and supporters who trooped out to the
court in numbers in solidarity with him and promised to clear his name.
“It is however necessary
for me to thank my colleagues in the Senate for the solid support and
solidarity they demonstrated for me. I also thank my counsel for the brilliance
they have shown in presenting our case and the supporters who were present in
the tribunal in their hundreds. I want to assure you that I am innocent of all
the charges and will clear my name in due course,” he said.
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Ibrahim
Danbaba: Senate solidly behind Saraki
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Pro-Saraki Senators: We Are Solidly
Behind Him
TheCable
reports that the Nigeria senate has expressed support for its president, Bukola
Saraki, over his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Ibrahim
Danbaba, representative of Sokoto south constituency at the upper chamber, said
the senate was solidly behind Saraki on his trial for alleged corruption and
false declaration of assets.
“After
majority of us, senators of the federal republic of Nigeria, witnessed the
appearance of our president, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki at the Code of
Conduct Tribunal this morning, we are happy that he appeared at the tribunal
after availing himself of the opportunity to defend his fundamental human
rights,” Danbaba said.
“We
also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the senate remains
solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support for his
leadership. We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of senate
president and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial will
change our opinion of him.
“By
his appearance at the tribunal, he has demonstrated his firm belief in the rule
of law and his respect for our judicial process. We join Dr Saraki in affirming
our commitment to rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy.
“We
only hope the other arms of government will ensure that due processes and
procedures are followed in this trial and on all other issues.
“The
eighth senate restates its commitment to the programmes and policies of the
Buhari administration.
“It
is our belief that at the end of this trial, our democracy, Nigerians and the
people will end up as the beneficiaries.”
On
Tuesday, Saraki arrived at the tribunal with an army of lawmakers led by Ike
Ekweremadu, deputy senate president.
He
had turned down two previous invitations by the tribunal.
He pleaded not guilty to
13-count charges of false declaration of assets preferred against him the Code
of Conduct Bureau.
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