The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has reacted to an investigation by PREMIUM TIMES that exposed hidden assets owned by his wife, Toyin Saraki, which he failed to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required by Nigerian laws.
At least four assets belonging to the wealthy and famous Saraki family of Nigeria, all tucked away in secret offshore territories, were uncovered by the investigation published by PREMIUM TIMES.
Last September the CCB slammed false asset declaration charges on Mr. Saraki, accusing the Senate President, among other things, of failure to declare his assets in full.
Under the code of conduct law, a public office holder is required to declare his own assets, those of his wife as well as assets in the names of his children below the age of 18.
In response to the PREMIUM TIMES’ story, Mr. Saraki insisted he fully complied with law on asset declaration.
In the response sent in by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Saraki said he fully complied with the provisions of the law on declaration of assets by public officers.
The Senate President maintained that he did not fail to declare assets belonging to his wife in secret offshore territories, adding that he, in his different asset declarations, included properties owned individually by himself and his wife.
“The property in question forms part of Dr Saraki’s wife’s family asset,” Mr. Saraki said. “It is public knowledge that Mrs. Saraki comes from a family of independent means and wealth with numerous and varied assets acquired over decades in family estates and investments
“Furthermore, the law only requires a public officer to declare both his own assets and those held by his spouse and his children under 18 years of age. The law does not require a public officer to declare assets held by the spouse’s family.
“It is not expected by the law that a public officer should declare such assets held in the spouse’s family estate. Indeed, the Code of Conduct form does not make provision for declaration of spouse’s family assets,” he stated.
Indeed, Toyin Saraki hails from the rich and famous Ojora family of Lagos. She married Bukola Saraki in 1991.
The hidden properties in offshore territories the Senate President failed to declare were acquired in 2004 and 2011 respectively.
They are not part of the Ojora’s family estate and were not acquired through inheritance.
They are owned by Mrs. Saraki, as shown in the offshore documents obtained by this newspaper.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/201274-panamapapers-why-i-failed-to-declare-my-wifes-assets-saraki.html

At least the allegations are true

This clown is just being stubborn like a native he-goat......you can't be Senate President, Period! This guy is too stupid for my liking....imagine he even default in the filling of the declaration of assets form which mandated him to supply assets of his wife and even his child (provided he or she is 18 and above).....Saraki is toast!

We know why...it's called plausible deniability, a criminally carefully thought way out

Saraki u have just broken a record as the first senate president to be running from justice

Wow, this defence is so lame, it's beyond shocking. The law says the assets held by your wife must get declared and you did not....this clown now tries to twist and fudge the mess by claiming that it belongs to his wife's family....if this clown survives this mess, then it is fairly conclusive that the change we seek is not yet here...period.... ...barawo banza....

Proxy ownership, Ojora family is quite different from Toyin Saraki the title owner.
I would humbly advice Uncle Bukky to leave the job to his lawyers rather than complicating it for them.

Did PMB declare his wife's assets ?

Just asking.

otukpo:
Did PMB declare his wife's assets ?

Just asking.

OK, tot I was the only one thinking.

How will that reduce fuel scarcity?

Panams papers just buried the arrogant dishonest man.

otukpo:
Did PMB declare his wife's assets ?

Just asking.

You better face your grossly underdeveloped village and start demanding results from your leaders and stop supporting this arrogant public loiter.
#justsaying

Investigation by Premium Times or leaked document by international paper copied by Premium Times?

Story for the gods

Some wailers will tell us not to believe Premium Times and Sahara Reporters, but we should rather belive their ipod and wailing junk newspaper -- Vanguard.

Saraki just implicated his wife's people

Let's go to CCB and ask for Baba Buhari Asset declaration form, what Mr Adeshina and Mr Shehu announced were the summary of the form.


Social and human right activists should write demanding for it,let Nigerians see.

Bros! Me nor believe you.

Talk talk politicians, always giving excuses.

Dis Guy is a clown.

If them come see those under Amaechi's wife's name, am sure we will all faint..

But Egbon saraki, u be thief oooo..

Story for the gods. It doesn't add up! !!

You've got to pay the price dude. Useless, arrogant, backstabbing cum traitor.

shoro niyen?

Too much filthy money

Booked!!

tomakint:
This clown is just being stubborn like a native he-goat......you can't be Senate President, Period! This guy is too stupid for my liking....imagine he even default in the filling of the declaration of assets form which mandated him to supply assets of his wife and even his child (provided he or she is below 18 ).....Saraki is toast!

fixed

Hnmmm

RichDad1:

You better face your grossly underdeveloped village and start demanding results from your leaders and stop supporting this arrogant public loiter.
#justsaying

shut up, its a simple question.