A scanned copy of a British passport purportedly belonging to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was forged, UK authorities have stated.
The passport, with the name Olybukola Saraki, and number 306077175 was published by Sahara Reporters as evidence of Mr. Saraki’s dual citizenship and subsequent ineligibility to hold public office in Nigeria.
Though Mr. Saraki confessed that he has a UK passport obtained by virtue of his being born in the country, he said the passport published by the website was not his and may have been forged.
In a statement released by his special assistant on new media, Bamikole Omishore, the senate president said he instructed his attorney to contact the UK Passport Office to investigate what he termed an “act of criminality.”
Mr. Saraki further explained that only those who voluntarily obtained the citizenship of another country are disqualified from holding public office.
“It is important to state that the requirement to forfeit Nigerian nationality/citizenship upon acquisition of the nationality/citizenship of another country does not apply to persons who are Nigerians by birth within the definition of Section 25 of the Constitution. This section also acknowledges and protects the right to hold citizenship by birth of another country.
“Citizens of a country by birth do not need to swear to an oath of allegiance to that country. It is only a citizenship acquired through naturalisation and registration that has the requirement to take an oath of allegiance,” he said on Facebook.
In response to inquiry into the matter by Mr. Saraki’s lawyer, Andrew Stephenson of Discreet Law, London, Her Majesty Passport Office confirmed that the published passport was forged.
The letter, made available to PREMIUM TIMES by Mr .Saraki’s media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, with reference number, Disc/Info/SARAKI/030915 and signed by C. Emery of Disclosure of Information department of HM Passport Office, confirmed that Mr. Saraki was issued a British passport on June 29, 2006, which will expire on 29 June, 2016. The number of Saraki’s genuine passport was, however, redacted in the letter.
The letter confirmed that the number on the scanned published passport does not relate to Mr. Saraki.
“I can further confirm that the number on the copy of the passport you supplied (marked 2 by yourselves) does not relate to Mr. Saraki,” the letter stated.
It however declined to provide detail on who owns the passport number on the published passport saying that it can only disclose such information “upon production of a United Kingdom court order” directing the department to release the information

it s well

warrior01:
Sahara reporters now involved in criminal acts just to tarnish Saraki's image

Ilekeh:


I'm finding it hard to diagnose your problem, it's between mental retardation and ignorance and just plain laziness.

Ilekeh:


I'm finding it hard to diagnose your problem, it's between mental retardation and ignorance and just plain laziness.

Nigeria:good people,great nation

Utchgirl:
Seems some peeps want 2 pull dis man down all by all means.

stuff46:


Olodo, you are the one who sound retarded. You just foumd it hard to diagnose the news.

Eugenedimgba:
So it's possible to forge a British passport? Why then are droves of people queuing up at the embassies?

Ilekeh:


Never support any politician. Let him answer to the court. If the court finds him guilty, let him pay for his crimes.

Unlike Igbos, Yorubas use the same hand they use to feed their children to apply punishment.

"He's our son, but if he misbehaves, he will be punished".

Igbos go say "he's our son, let's look the other way. No witch hunting".

chukwudi44:


Sharapp Saraki is a fulani man and not yoruba!! Yorubas are only after him because he disgraced their local amala champion.

Ilekeh:


I'm finding it hard to diagnose your problem, it's between mental retardation and ignorance and just plain laziness.

sdindan:



dunderhead.
Please receive sense

Ilekeh:


Never support any politician. Let him answer to the court. If the court finds him guilty, let him pay for his crimes.

Unlike Igbos, Yorubas use the same hand they use to feed their children to apply punishment.

"He's our son, but if he misbehaves, he will be punished".

Igbos go say "he's our son, let's look the other way. No witch hunting".

sdindan:


He's not a Yoruba.
Saraki is a Fulani man
Kwara is in the North
And they have Emir in ilorin not Oba