₦airaland Forum

EFCC fails to Substantiate Allegation of Anticipatory Declaration Against Saraki


In another bungled claim, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)! has failed to substantiate allegation of anticipatory buying of property against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.


The property in contention is the crux of the case, as the Federal Government is claiming in the charges against Saraki that he entered in his 2003 Assets Declaration Form, a property he later bought in 2006.


However, EFCC lead investigator into the matter, Michael Wetkas who is currently under cross examination on Tuesday, failed to convince the Tribunal that Saraki did anticipatory buying following proves that No 15 MacDonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State was bided for by different companies and persons when Saraki bought it.


According the Defence Counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), "Mr Wetkas,  can you tell us how the defendant knew in 2003 what properties he would buy in 2006?" This was the master stroke that killed it after Wetkas could not through facts and documents proved that there was any anticipatory buying by Saraki.


Although the lead prosecutor, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar had tried to come to the rescue of Wetkas, but it was immaterial in the face of contradictory claims and lack of evidence to nail substantiate the charge.


Consequently, the lawyer to Saraki has now raised a new ground that his assets declaration form was likely tampered with at the CCB: "Logic tells us that exhibit 1 has been tampered with." 


This may be a new ground for the court to determine and spend time with, as the tail may be wagging the dog in the days ahead.

CCT rules in favour of Saraki… for the first time

Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday, gave a ruling in favour of Senate President Bukola Saraki for the first time.

As the case was called, Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB); the prosecution, complained that the cross examination of Michael Wetkas, a principal witness, had taken much time because the defence team kept changing the lawyers examining the witness.

“The counsel that started cross examination should finish it. The witness cannot be cross-examined by three lawyers. My learned brother should conclude cross-examining the witness,” he argued while requesting the tribunal to make the order.

“You can have several lawyers, but only one of them will address the court. That’s why we have lead counsel. The lead counsel who has started the cross examination is bound to conclude the case.

“It is not an opportunity for six lawyers to cross examine one witness. Why I am raising this, is that we have already spent days on cross-examination. My lord should regulate the proceedings.”

When the trial started, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki’s lead counsel, had the cross examination of the witness, after which Paul Usoro (SAN) took over.

But on Tuesday, Paul Erokoro (SAN), one Saraki’s lawyer, rose to cross examine the witness to which Jacobs objected.

“There is no law which supports my learned friend’s request. Different counsel can cross examine a witness. If one counsel is tired another one can take over,” Erokoro argued.

“The prosecution has also requested that will close our cross-examination today. That is absurd. We are going to take our time and do things properly. We will not be stampeded.

“We are ready to start cross-examination.”

In his ruling, Umar held that Saraki had the right to engage as many lawyers as he wanted, and to choose which one of them would speak for him in court.

“The defence has the right to conduct their defence the way it suits t

Nigerian Senate to launch Transparency and Delivery Commission


In line with the Legislative Agenda approved by the Senate, the President of the Senate today has announced the intention of the Senate to inaugurate an independent Transparency and Delivery Commission to review and improve the oversight systems and tools of the Senate.

The Commission will be led by a working group consisting of a world leading research institution and a partner institute in Nigeria and will be advised by an internationally acclaimed anti-corruption expert.

The independent Commission will work closely with the Senateand the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption & Financial Crimes to draw up a robust oversight scheme and strengthen the internal structuring and capacity of the National Assembly to fulfil its role as an anti-corruption institution.

The Commission’s work will be two-fold. Initially it willconcentrate on analysing the processes and tools by which the Senate and the National Assembly in general can, using its legislative remit, assist the anti-corruption agenda of President Buhari and more specifically strengthen the institutions through legislative reforms.

The following medium-term goal is to then deliver recommendations for better ways of working within the Senate and to ensure that it meets the highest global standards includingthe newly announced Commonwealth Secretariat anti-corruption ‘kitemark’ system.

Specifically, the group will:

1.
. Map out how the Senate could use its oversight tools to actas a catalyst for greater transparency and anti-corruption in other parts of the Nigerian state both at the Federal and State Levels.

2.
. Assess how the Nigerian Senate functions as a scrutiny and policy making body and how it can improve in this role

3.
. . Undertake a review of the mechanisms of the Nigerian senate and identify areas for improvement in senate efficiency in implementing its legislative agenda and itsanti-corruption capacity.

4.
4. Look at international and regional examples of best practice – such as the Commonwealth Secretariat ‘kitemark’ – and suggest tangible reforms the Nigeria Senate could implement to improve transparency and the policy delivery process internally and across government.

Signed

Yusuph Olaniyonu

Special Adviser (Media and Communication)

CCTvsSaraki: Rotimi Jacobs Attempts to Overturn Justice System
- Argues that only Kanu Agabi among Saraki’s lawyers should be allowed to Address in Court
- Saraki’s Lawyers Declare Submission Frivolous and Uncalled for

As the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, continues today at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Counsel for the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), in another brazen attempt to set a new legal precedent, argued that only Kanu Agabi, amongst Saraki’s lawyers, should be entitled to address the court.

Making a submission to the Tribunal Chaired by Justice Dan Ladi Umar, Jacobs argued that only the Counsel to the Defence that started the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness 1, Michael Wetkas of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), should be allowed to continue as the cross-examination continues.

Jacobs, citing Section 349(7) of the Administration for Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) stated that a legal practitioner engaged in any matter is bound to conclude it.

However, in their counter-submission, the Senate President’s lawyers who were represented by Paul Erokoro (SAN), stated that Section 36 of the Constitution makes provision for multiple lawyers to cross examine a witness.

Reading out the section of the 1999 Constitution that stated that defendants were entitled to multiple legal practitioners, Irokoro argued that this matter had also been addressed by the Supreme Court, and Rotimi Jacobs was again wasting the time of the court by making a frivolous submission with no legal precedents.
- Saraki’s Lawyers Declare Submission Frivolous and Uncalled for

As the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, continues today at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Counsel for the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), in another brazen attempt to set a new legal precedent, argued that only Kanu Agabi, amongst Saraki’s lawyers, should be entitled to address the court.

Making a submission to the Tribunal Chaired by Justice Dan Ladi Umar, Jacobs argued that only the Counsel to the Defence that started the cross-examination of Prosecution Witness 1, Michael Wetkas of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), should be allowed to continue as the cross-examination continues.

Jacobs, citing Section 349(7) of the Administration for Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) stated that a legal practitioner engaged in any matter is bound to conclude it.

However, in their counter-submission, the Senate President’s lawyers who were represented by Paul Erokoro (SAN), stated that Section 36 of the Constitution makes provision for multiple lawyers to cross examine a witness.

Reading out the section of the 1999 Constitution that stated that defendants were entitled to multiple legal practitioners, Irokoro argued that this matter had also been addressed by the Supreme Court, and Rotimi Jacobs was again wasting the time of the court by making a frivolous submission with no legal precedents.

Press Release

Anti-Corruption War: Saraki seeks private-public partnership

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday called for closer collaboration private organizations across the country with the Federal Government for an effective fight against corruption. 

Saraki who gave the charge when he played host to the executive members of the Institute of Directors (IOD), led by its President/Chairman of Governing Council, Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju, said it is part of the 8th Senate’s Legislative Agenda to contribute maximally towards the elimination of corrupt tendencies in the country. 

He told his guests that the Executive arm of government is on the same page with the National Assembly in resuscitating the economy, ensuring adequate security and alleviating unemployment across board.

According to him, “Our Agenda in the Senate and that of the present administration is geared towards improving the economic situation of our dear country, adequate security and fight against corruption.

“The fight against corruption is key to this administration and we are in full support of this task. I want to call on the Institute of Directors of Nigeria to join the fight in every capacity to bring to normalcy ways of doing things and take our nation out of economic doldrums," he said. 

Saraki recalled that the 8th Senate from inception have been an inclusive Senate, “We had meetings with players in Public and private sectors on how to amend our outdated laws and make them acceptable and blend with the modern trend.

“That is the major reason why we seek collaboration and support of private organizations and bodies like Institute of Directors of Nigeria in ensuring that government’s actions and approaches are directed towards providing better lives Nigerians," Saraki stressed.

Earlier, the President of IOD, Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju said the 8th Senate since inception has lived up to the yearnings of the people in terms of professionalism and legislation adding that if sustained, it will give room for best practices in all ramifications of governance.

Akeju who unfolded the purpose of the visit to the Senate President said the Institute has agreed to present a draft Bill to the National Assembly on the workings of the Institute saying the Bill when passed into Law will further boost the day to day activities in the business world.

He said that the IOD, as a foremost organization in the country, will continue to play the leadership role saying over the last two years, the Institute has inducted over 800 Directors just as he suggested a mandatory membership for lawmakers in the National Assembly.

Signed:
Sanni Onogu

Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President

Buhari London Visit: International Community Questions Nigeria's Anti-Corruption War
May 8, 2016Henry Oqua
As President Muhammadu Buhari embarks on another foreign trip to attend the Anti-Corruption Summit in London this week, the international community has questioned his reasons for attending, as well as his own anti-corruption crusade back home.

UK based MailOnline, in an article published early hours of Sunday, May 8, barely 2 days to the commencement of the summit, highlighted the impropriety of the Nigerian President attending the summit, when his country is among the biggest recipients of British aid, despite massive oil wealth.

The UK paper argued that the self-acclaimed “The Peoples President” has not only derailed his anti-corruption crusade with politically motivated trials, but has also allowed his family members and close associates, get involved in acts he frowned up before he took power almost a year ago.

Buhari himself did was not bothered by the several allegations of corruption against some ex-State governors whom he appointed into his cabinet.

Most notably, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi who was accused of investing over N70bn of the state’s money to fund Buhari’s campaign, as well as former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who admitted to desgning and running his personal website for N78m from the State’s purse.

“In April the opposition PDP party unearthed a ticket stub showing Hanan, 16, had flown first-class from London to Nigeria, despite her father’s ban on officials using premium travel.

“And a Nigerian newspaper claimed Mr Buhari has spent £150,000 on educating his daughter Zahra, a Surrey University student.

“The president is reported to have failed to give a full account of his worth, but even his partial admission included more than £1million in the bank, five houses and two plots of land. Mail Online said.

Some months back, at the commencement of the trial against one of the victims of Buhari’s politicised anti-corruption war, Senate President Bukola Saraki, a US diplomat who spoke with news men confirmed that the US government was concerned about the motives behind the trial.

“The US respects separation of powers as an inherent part of its presidential system of government but warned that politicising the campaign against corruption would not help Nigeria.” Naij.com reported.

Recent happenings at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, have lent credence to Saraki’s claim that his trial is politically motivated, for his role in his emergence as Senate President on June 9, 2015.

With Buhari scheduled to play a “prominent part” at the summit which includes delivering a keynote address titled “Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together” in the pre-opening of the summit, there is no doubt that the absence of due process in his own battle against corruption at home, will be on the minds of his audience.


Buhari has visited the UK 3 times in less than a year.
This is Buhari’s 4th visit to the United Kingdom in less than a year, a record for any African leader.
He is continuously maligned for his frequent trips abroad, and is now hard-pressed to prove the viability of the trip to an increasing section of Nigerian who insist that the trips are unnecessary.

Saraki Condoles With Victims 
of Jebba Train Accident 

Following report of collision of two trains at Jebba Bridge bordering Kwara  and Niger States in which some passengers were reported to have died and several injured, Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has expressed shock and sadness over the tragic incident while also  commiserating  with the families of the deceased. 

   Saraki also expressed sympathy with those who sustained injury in the incident and prayed to Almighty God to heal their wounds.

He also urged the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to investigate the cause of the accident and immediately put in place measures to prevent recurrence.

"As we work to improve rail system in Nigeria, we have to ensure that we pay attention to safety. Our plan is to make railway the centre of our transportation system conveying thousands of people around the country. With such a plan, the safety consideration must be top in our plan", he stated.

The Senate President noted that the overhaul of the rail system for efficiency and safety  is part of the core mandate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government which explains why the Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar rail lines are already part of the recently signed 2016 budget 


"It is my prayer that this kind of tragic incident will not be witnessed in Nigeria again. May Almighty Allah in His infinite mercy grant  the souls of the departed eternal rest and uphold their families in this moment of grief and sorrow", Saraki prayed.

   Signed

   Bamikole Omishore
   Special Assistant ( New Media) to Senate President

IT’S TIME FOR INTEGRITY-CHALLENGED DANLADI UMAR TO WITHDRAW FROM SARAKI’S TRIAL

Source: Ynaija,

By Agency Reporter

Saturday May 7, 2016

 

It wouldn’t be far fetched to assert that the Nigerian judiciary has suffered an integrity crisis with the way the trial of Senate President BUKOLA SARAKI at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, has been handled thus far.

Repeated calls have been made for the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, to embrace some modicum of honor no matter how little, and excuse himself from the ongoing trial.

The Newspaper Vendors Association of Abuja, echoing those calls, have also asked Danladi Umar to withdraw from the SARAKI trial, owing to the fact that he has a N10 million bribery case hanging over his head.

The association, through its chairman and secretary, Samuel Jimoh and Ubangha Ubangha told the CCT chairman to “see himself less worthy to chair the panel trying SARAKI” as the administrative bail granted him on the bribery scandal does not absolve him.

Umar is accused of demanding for N10 million bribe from a defendant to help him squash his case in 2013, an accusation which led to a not-so-pleasant recommendation from the then Attorney-General of the Federation for his removal from the CCT.

Danladi Umar, who escaped the fall of the hammer because of the transition from the Peoples Democratic Party government to that of the All Progressives Congress, now appears – to many – to be a tool in the hand of some stakeholders in the new government.

While it is easy to believe that SARAKI’S trial at the CCT is persecution for being a political rebel, the inconsistent and far from respectable way with which Danladi Umar has handled the trial has given little room for doubt.

Danladi is presiding over a case being prosecuted by the EFCC while he has an open file with the same anti-graft agency- how on earth will there not be a clash of interest in his dispelling of justice?

Any right thinking man of integrity – or even commonsense – would have handed over the baton of the tribunal to someone else to carry out justice in a free and fair manner but not his Lordship, Danladi Umar.

More baffling is the quack letter of absolution hastily released by EFCC just to keep Danladi on the bench and in charge of the trial- really?

The Abuja vendors and many Nigerians have lost faith in Danladi’s integrity and his will to dispense justice rightly in this trial and as such, want him off the case.

From the way Danladi Umar has rigidly installed himself as the alpha and omega of SARAKI’S trial, it is doubtful that he will take a cue from the demand of the vendors to embrace the path of respectability and cease to be a tool for the punishment of erring party members.

Press Release
May 6, 2016

#Budget2016: Saraki Assures Nigerians of  Adequate  Oversight

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has commended Nigerians for their patience while awaiting presidential assent to the 2016 Appropriation Act and promised that the National Assembly will ensure its proper implementation through diligent oversight.

Saraki who today (Friday) joined Speaker Yakubu Dogara and other top government officials in witnessing the signing of the budget into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the responsibility is now that of both the executive and the legislature to ensure that the objectives and goals of the budget are duly realized.

He called on ministers, heads of departments and agencies to hit the ground running with the implementation of the various provisions made in the budget so that the expectations of the people can be fulfilled.

"On our own part as members of the National Assembly, we will closely monitor the implementation of the budget by providing effective oversight. We will also ensure that all necessary laws that will aid the transformation of the contents of the budget into practical policies, projects and programmes that will directly have positive impact on Nigerians will be put in place.

"That is why we have started the amendment of the Public Procurement Act to ensure that a substantial percentage of the money to be spent in the budget are made available to Nigerians through government patronage of Made-in-Nigeria goods and services."

The Senate President thanked Nigerians for their continued support for the present administration and promised that now that the budget has been signed into law people will start seeing the positive impact on the economy and their standard of living.

Saraki restated the National Assembly's commitment to early passage of subsequent budgets since the President had promised earlier presentation.

End

Signed:

Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of

Saraki Calls for Legislation to Address Childbirth Mortality on International Day of the Midwife

As Abuja declares open the inaugural International Midwifery Conference open, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated midwives across the nation for their contributions towards the healthcare of Nigerian women and newborn children.

The Senate President, who is a medical doctor by profession, stated that over the years, midwives have helped to improve the maternal healthcare options available to Nigerian women.

Saraki further stated “According to data available from UNICEF, the deaths of newborn babies in Nigeria represents a quarter of the total number of deaths of children under-five.”

In this regard, as the event hosted by the National Association of Nigerian Nurses hand Midwives (NANNM), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the WellBeing Foundation Africa kicks-off, Saraki stated that the Senate and the 8th National Assembly would work out ways to partner with organisations that help to promote the life-saving work of midwives across the nation.

“As we declare the inaugural International Midwifery Conference in Abuja open,” Saraki said, “The 8th Assembly will partner with organisations and other stakeholders to provide legislation that will help to strengthen the efforts of midwives in Nigeria to enable them provide better support for expecting mothers.”

According to UNICEF, a Nigerian woman’s chances of dying from pregnancy and childbirth is 1 in 13, and presently, only about 20 per cent of health facilities offer emergency obstetric care and only 35 per cent of deliveries are attended by skilled birth attendants.

Saraki Applauds Senate’s Intervention in Agriculture; Pushes for Formalisation of the Sector

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today applauded the Senate’s passage of 2nd reading of A Bill for an Act to establish the National Agricultural Credit Fund to Promote Commercial Agriculture in Nigeria.’ 

Saraki, in a statement on his social media pages, commended the effort by the Senate to establish the credit fund, saying that once established, the Agricultural Credit Fund would address the current lack of legal frameworks that limit funds meant for farming going to actual farmers.

The Senate President, further stated that the credit fund will also help ensure that local farmers are provided with implementable business plans, and systems that will guarantee that their products are purchased.

“This Credit Fund will also help ensure that local farmers are provided with business plans” Saraki said. “It will also help to ensure that agricultural products from our farmers get to larger companies that will purchase their products.

“Furthermore, the Agricultural Credit Fund will also help in our nation’s diversification plan and transition to seeing agriculture as a business, not just a social development program, as there will be clearly spelt out criteria for benefits, and fund administrators to guide the disbursement of the loans.”

It will be recalled that as the former Governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011, Dr. Saraki established the Shonga Farms scheme, which has been hailed as a revolutionary approach to addressing agriculture in Nigeria to promote job creation, improve efficiency, and enhancing food security.

Over 15 lawmakers who spoke in support of the bill, reiterated the essentiality of agriculture in economic development. They are: Senators Ibrahim Gobir, Ahmed Lawan, Aliyu Wammako, Emmanuel Bwacha , Abdullahi  Adamu, Abubakar.

Others include: Bukar Ibrahim, Abubakar kyari, Jibrin Barau, Dino Melaye, Abubakar Gemade, Buka Ibrahim and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremmadu .

At Tuesday’s plenary, A Bill for an Act to Make Provisions for Freedom from Hunger was also passed for Second Reading. This bill is envisioned to make adequate food of acceptable quality the right of every Nigerian child's basic nutrition passed its second reading. Working in-sync,  the agricultural lending fund bill and the Freedom from Hunger bill will be two critical pieces of legislation that address hunger and agricultural production, and will have significant positive impacts on commercial agriculture, food production and wealth generation.
 
Signed

Bamikole Omishore
Special Assistant New Media to President of the Senate

#CCTvsSaraki: Senators Remain Solidly Behind Saraki 

Since few days ago, a concocted lie which has no iota of truth has been flying about on social media, basically in Kwara State that 77 Senators out of 109 Senators in the Red Chamber have agreed to impeach or force the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to resign based on his ongoing politically motivated trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). We make bold to inform the public that the story is not only fictitious but also mischievous because it is far from truth. The truth is, the spokesman of the Like Minds Senate faction that supported Saraki for Senate President from onset, Sen. Dino Melaye that is coordinating the said number of Senators.

The National Assembly under the Chairmanship of Senator Saraki, enjoys the overwhelming support of Senators who are astute politicians; and appreciate the importance of having an independent legislator, where members can decide for themselves without waiting for unnecessary signal from self-centered political godfathers whose personal interests have beclouded their minds from putting the interests of the masses first. 

Over the last 11 months since Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, became the Senate President, he has coordinated Senators towards achieving the goals for which they are elected by Nigerians - Legislations and effective over sight. That is, It is in the Eight Senate that senators are not waiting for them to be lobbied before performing their statutory duties. 

To put the record straight, since the inception of 8th Senate on June 9, 2015, the Senate President has never been found wanting in any corrupt practice, both within and outside the Senate, rather, he has always been alleged and blackmailed with corruption cases which are magnified by media. Sadly for his adversaries, such cases have never been backed up with genuine evidences. Is that not enough for Kwarans and indeed Nigerians to be tired of all these fictitious lies about Saraki? Verily, he has been ensuring that masses have full grip of enjoyment of their rights.  

It is on this note that we want to categorically state that the Senate President has not done anything contrary to the law of the land which would have warranted his impeachment or resignation as purported by some politically sponsored platforms. Also, we want the public to be mindful that the CCT issue is nothing but a step to curtail the political strength and credentials of Senator President Bukola Saraki which seems threatening to some  politicians but with time, he shall be vindicated and the perpetrators would become object of ridicule.

By #IStandBySaraki Team

@Kwaragovt Didn’t Pay @bukolasaraki lawyer, Agabi, N500m
We hereby deny allegations by Sahara Reporters that the Kwara State Government paid N500m to Mr. Kanu Agabi, the lead counsel in the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja. The allegation is mischievous and has no basis in fact. Dr. Bukola Saraki is perfectly capable of funding his own defense. Also, the state government has no responsibility to fund the legal defense of the Senate President or any other individual. Neither does it intend to do so. Additionally, it is ridiculous to expect a state government that requires N2.4b monthly for salaries, pensions, and overheads but received N1.5b in allocations last month, for example, to spend any money on the Senate President's trial. We must note that this monthly allocation is augmented with IGR and bank loans to meet basic obligations. It is therefore impossible for the government to fund the Senate President's trial. We urge the public to ignore Sahara Reporter’s falsehood.

--

EMINENT JURISTS QUERY CCT’S CRIMINAL JURISDICTION, DEMAND FAIRNESS IN SARAKI’S CASE

Source: The Guardian

By Uba Iwaleke

Tuesday May 3, 2016

 

Eminent jurists, including Nigeria’s prominent constitutional lawyers have stepped out to query the ‘unchallengeability’ of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of the President of the Senate, DR OLUBUKOLA SARAKI, delivered on February 5, 2016. which granted the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) a quasi criminal jurisdiction to try criminal matters.

While the legal luminaries recommended that Dr. SARAKI be given fair hearing, which is constitutionally guaranteed to him before a court of law where there would not be any likelihood of bias, they also called for the re-opening of the investigation on allegation of corruption leveled against the Chairman of the Code Of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, and at the same time advise him to withdraw from presiding over the senate president’s case.

The eminent jurists comprise of former Justices of the Supreme Court, Salisu Alfa Modibo Belgore, George Oguntade (CFR), Samson Odemwingie Uwaifo, prominent constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, (SAN), Attorney General, Lagos State, Adeniji Kazeem, Chief Nnoruka Udechukwu (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) at an inaugural conference of Ben Nwabueze Centre for Studies in Constitutional Law and Related Subjects titled: ‘The Code of Conduct Enshrined in the Constitution of Nigeria and its Crucial Importance in the Fight against Corruption’ held in Lagos recently, said the court of public opinion is a vital bedrock of governance in a democratic society as Nigeria.

In the communiqué adopted after the one-day event, the legal luminaries said every Nigerian is a stakeholder in the Nigerian state project, and have a duty to contribute to the discussion on the question provoked by the above Supreme Court judgment.
The communiqué reads thus: That the Supreme Court decision on the issue of the jurisdiction of the CCT is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended)
The lawyers also averred that the Supreme Court was wrong in holding that the Constitution itself invests the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) with a quasi-criminal jurisdiction, saying that the Code is, “in its essential character, merely a body of rules designed to regulate the civil, not criminal behaviour of public officers, much in the fashion of the Civil Service Rules.”
The communiqué also stated that the CCT, not being so listed under Section 6(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as a Court, has no power or jurisdiction, derived from the Constitution to try, convict and impose punishment on persons for a criminal offence; the decision of the Supreme Court attributing such jurisdiction to it, as jurisdiction derived from the Constitution, is null and void under sections 1(3), 6 and 36 (13) of the Constitution; also any law made by the National Assembly that confers such jurisdiction on the CCT is null and void.
It stated further that the Supreme Court decision on the issue of the jurisdiction of the CCT has no basis in a law validly made by the National Assembly, adding that the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Acts, are glaringly unconstitutional and void because it duplicates relevant provisions of the Constitution, and because some of its provisions purport to vary the provisions of the Constitution.
Insisting that the CCT is not a court of law under our Constitution and cannot be invested with criminal or quasi-criminal jurisdiction, the communiqué averred that the initiation of the criminal prosecution against Dr. SARAKI before the CCT by a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice at a time when there was no incumbent Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), is invalid and incompetent in law.
It added that it is not reasonable to be supposed or be expected that Danladi Umar, can be impartial or unbiased in adjudicating the case between the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) against SARAKI. “There can be no greater mockery of the whole notion of impartiality in any adjudicatory system than that Umar, with the threat of prosecution and removal from office for alleged corruption by the FRN hanging over his head, should have been allowed to adjudicate as presiding judge in the circumstances of this case. Bias on the part of Umar seems to be clearly manifest in all the circumstances surrounding the case,” the communiqué said.
The lawyers also lamented that the manner in which Umar was conducting the trial manifests a certain overzealousness that suggests at least a real likelihood of bias on the part of Umar against Dr. SARAKI or a lack of impartiality.
It however recommended that Dr. SARAKI be given a fair hearing, which is constitutionally guaranteed to him before a Court of Law where there would not be any likelihood of bias.
It also called for the re-opening of the investigation on allegation of corruption leveled against Umar, while it advised for his withdrawal from presiding over SARAKI’s case.

Amb. Ahmadu Was An Accomplished Diplomat - Saraki
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday expressed grief over the death of former Ambassador to the United State, Hamzat Ahmadu and said he was an accomplished diplomat and technocrat per excellence.
Saraki in a condolence message to the government and people of Sokoto State, immediate family and friends of the deceased, signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said death is an inevitable end but he quickly reminded the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the departed diplomat lived a selfless life lived.
The Senate President recalled the immeasurable services rendered to the nation by the late diplomat and added that as Personal Secretary to two former military Head of State - Generals Aguiyi Ironsi and Yakubu Gowon - late Ahmadu also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States of America, Germany, France and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR).
He said late Ahmadu will be remembered for his passion and his belief in unity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.
He said: "The news of the death of our dear elder-stateman, came to us with shock. He lived a fulfilled life, an accompanied diplomat, an amiable father and loving husband. His wise counsel and antecedents speak volume. His immense contributions to the development and unity of Nigeria will not be forgotten. It is unfortunate that the nation is losing the benefits of wise counsel that his generation can give to the present leadership in our nation", Saraki said.
He prayed God Almighty to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Signed:
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Senate President

Amb. Ahmadu Was An Accomplished Diplomat - Saraki
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday expressed grief over the death of former Ambassador to the United State, Hamzat Ahmadu and said he was an accomplished diplomat and technocrat per excellence.
Saraki in a condolence message to the government and people of Sokoto State, immediate family and friends of the deceased, signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said death is an inevitable end but he quickly reminded the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the departed diplomat lived a selfless life lived.
The Senate President recalled the immeasurable services rendered to the nation by the late diplomat and added that as Personal Secretary to two former military Head of State - Generals Aguiyi Ironsi and Yakubu Gowon - late Ahmadu also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States of America, Germany, France and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR).
He said late Ahmadu will be remembered for his passion and his belief in unity and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.
He said: "The news of the death of our dear elder-stateman, came to us with shock. He lived a fulfilled life, an accompanied diplomat, an amiable father and loving husband. His wise counsel and antecedents speak volume. His immense contributions to the development and unity of Nigeria will not be forgotten. It is unfortunate that the nation is losing the benefits of wise counsel that his generation can give to the present leadership in our nation", Saraki said.
He prayed God Almighty to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Signed:
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Senate President

Nigeria's Railway System: Using Legislative Reform to Enable Infrastructural Development - By Bamikole Omishore

The repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act CAP N129, LFN 2004, 2015 (SB. 001) is targeted at re-vitalizing and enhancing the operational framework and removal of the impediments that hindered the international best practices within the rail transport sector. This Bill is currently at the committee level for public hearing, chaired by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.


Nigeria, particularly between the mid-1950s and 1970s operated a network of an efficient rail system of transportation, which not only served as a safer, cheaper and more effective means of transporting passengers, goods and services across the length and breadth of the country but also a major source of employment.


It is a sad one for the sector that until the inception of civilian administrations in 1999, wherein the rail sector received some serious attention, little or next to no investments was made in the Nigerian rail sector from the mid-1980s when the Nigerian Railway Corporation was declared bankrupt - till very recently when it has been resuscitated.


Rail transport is the strong base of social and industrial activities in both developed and developing counties. However, it appears that the dream of having efficient rail transport systems is elusive to Nigeria and Nigerians.

The country has lots of benefits to derive from the revival of the railway transport system. If the obsolete Railway Corporation Act is carefully repealed and overhauled, there is no doubt that the populace will enjoy cheaper means of transporting goods and raw materials; also the incessant damages to our road and lives by heavy duty trucks will be reduced.

It is therefore the purpose of cross-ventilating ideas on developing a rich, practical and well-crafted legal framework for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, and the entire rail value chain by extension, that the Committee on land Transport has called a Public Hearing which was declared open by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to enrich the quality and content of the Bill.


This Bill is one of very important 30 Bills on the Legislative agenda of the 8th Senate, and is also very crucial to the transport sector of our economy. This Bill will not only usher in a new era of growth, but will also ensure efficiency and sustainability. This Bill will also go further to change the outlook of our rail system and the economy.



Let us put the viability of a smooth running rail line in every day perspective.

A working railway system means that, Adamu, the onion farmer in Zungeru can put his onions on a railway coach, and the next day he is in a big market in a town like Ilorin, where he will sell his onions and go back home by the next scheduled train service.

No time wasted in needless traffic or at different road blocks. No chance of robbery on the way, and the reduced cost on freight will put more money in his pocket and that of his family — resulting in more money in the system.

With a functional rail system, haulage via the roads will be greatly reduced, thereby prolonging the life span of our roads, keeping more money in government coffers for intervention in other areas of the economy. Imagine all the tippers and lorry's hauling petrol, gravel and other heavy materials using rail instead of plying Lagos-Ibadan express way.

With a working rail system, there will be less pressure on the big cities as Nigerians can afford to travel cheaply from their small towns and villages to do business in the cities, returning back with ease to their abodes, without having to stay put in shanty towns at the outskirt of the cities.

It is a win-win situation.

Laying and building railroads are labour intensive operations, if handled with sincerity of purpose, it means that thousands of people will be employed in the value chain. This is even more so in this era of unbelievable and unconscionable level of unemployment and lack of social mobility in our country provided the right laws are put in place, that the companies building the rail sector do transfer knowledge to Nigerian engineers, and that the work is carried out by Nigerians and importation of people from other countries who will rather use citizens of their own country at the detriment of Nigerians.

Additionally, as Nigeria pushes to establish more competition to promote growth in all its sectors, it is important to let companies from all over the world to partake in the bidding process to run trains in Nigeria.

A good example, would be to have companies like General Electric, Amtrak, TFL rail who maintain a great level of professionalism and transparency the opportunity to partake in a genuine Public Private Partnership in Nigeria’s rail sector. However, as we embark on this shift, we must ensure that the processes that govern the sector are sanctioned with a high degree of transparency and best practices. This means that the government’s oversight function should be businesslike, proactive and investors' friendly.

In our renewed interest in such a vital sector, transparency must be our watchword.



The uplifting news is that, the National Assembly under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki has assured that it will pass the right reforms to enable serious private public partnership to encourage companies who will put safety, quality first above profit and the reforms will be deliberated with some degree of urgency it merits.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has maintained consistently that under his leadership, The National Assembly, will pass several reformation bills to enable Private Public Partnership and jump start Nigeria's economic growth.

Moving forward, we can only hope that this Act when re-enacted will be able to stand the test of time and open up the rail sector value chains to private investments in the area of concessioning, determination of public service obligations, effective passenger services, and the establishment of an efficient regulatory framework for private participation.

It Is my hope and that of many Nigerians, that this very important bill, will have bi-partisan support In both chambers for speedy passage and the executive will join hands with the legislative to make sure foreign companies that will be allowed to partake in this process do follow international best practices at all levels.

Press Statement
Oba Of Benin: We’ve lost A People's Monarch, says Saraki
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commiserated with the government and people of Edo State over the call to glory of the Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, as he said "we have lost a People's monarch."
In a statement by the Special Adviser, Media & Publicity to the President of the Senate, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki described the late Oba as a just, fair-minded, courageous, benevolent and a people's monarch who lived his entire life in the service of his people as a prince and king while also serving the nation as a bureaucrat and diplomat of high repute.
The Senate President who received the news of Oba Erediauwa's transition with great shock said, "a glorious chapter in the annals of the Benin Kingdom has just come to a close. My grief stricken heart however goes out to the immediate family of the Oba, the Benin Traditional Council, the people and Government of Edo State, over the glorious but yet sad exit of the Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa - our highly revered King.
"He was a fearless and pious monarch - attributes that distinguished him among other monarchs in the country. As we mourn the departure of our highly revered and benevolent patriarch, I can only enjoin his immediate family and the people of Edo State to take solace in the long, peaceful, enigmatic life of the departed which was full of exemplary service to his subjects and the entire country," he said.
He prayed that Almighty God will grant Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa of Benin eternal welcome and bliss in the midst of his ancestors and make his successor-designate a greater king and worthy successor who will positively advance the commendable legacies of progress and development exemplified by Oba Erediauwa.
The Senate President said, the country will surely miss the late Oba of Benin Kingdom because he was an embodiment of peace, culture and traditions of the Benin Kingdom in particular, Edo State and Nigeria in general throughout the time of his reign.
Signed:
Yusuph Olaniyonu
Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the Senate President

Saraki: CCB/EFCC still searching for evidence in the middle of a hatchet trial 

When it has become changing the goal post in the middle of the play, it is no longer a fair game. There is no let-off in the desperation to conjure evidences and manipulate the law and the bench against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki. 


In the last couple of days, the anti-Saraki forces have been left perplexed and disorganised by the mastery of the defence counsels in the ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. 


So far, irredeemable holes have been drilled into the testimony of their star witness (PW1) Michael Wetkas, hence the defeatist rush to amend the charges and add three new counts.


Every aspect of the law has been twisted, including abuse of due process by the willing Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar, to sustain a badly defective case till this period. 


Although Umar had dismissed the the motion seeking his disqualification from continuing with the trial, but he still has a major hurdle to cross in terms of his compromising conduct as a judicial officer.


According to Section C (1) "A Judicial officer should disqualify himself in a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to the instance where: (a) he has personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or personal knowledge of facts in dispute."


Umar has not hidden his personal disdain for Saraki, while his open conduct presiding over the matter has left no one in doubt about his bias towards the President of the Senate. He appears desperate to implement a premeditated agenda.


It is not yet clear if Saraki will be appealing the dismissal of the motion asking the CCT Chairman to recluse himself from the matter. If he does, the matter is expected to drag to the Supreme Court for a major pronouncement. 



The prosecution counsel had in the motion prayed the CCT Chairman to recluse himself from the trial, that he is not a fit and proper person to sit in the temple of justice and preside over a case.

Justice Dan Ladi Umar Admits to Having a Pre-written Agenda in #CCTvsSaraki

During the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Justice Dan Ladi Umar admitted to having a pre-written agenda on the motion filed by the Senate President requesting that the CCT boss recuse himself from the case.

Speaking at the end of the debates on the motion filed by Mr. Rafael Oluyede, a counsel for the Senate President, the CCT Chairman ended the debate by saying:

"We will resume for cross-examination tomorrow," leaving many to believe that he has already decided that he will rule against Saraki's motion.

Recall that at the Thursday, April 21st sitting of the tribunal, Justice Umar had lost his temper at Oluyede and repeatedly yelled at the Counsel to the Senate President to “Sit Down!” when he counsel attempted to bring up the motion relating to his bribery charges.


Oluyede, discussing the motion in court, cited reasons why Justice Umar should recuse himself, citing that Dan Ladi Umar’s relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as a suspect in a N10million bribery investigation, made him morally unjustified to sit on the case - because the EFCC was one of the investigating authorities in the case.


Oluyede, also brought up Dan Ladi’s application for bail from the EFCC, where he stated that he would make himself available at anytime that the EFCC required him.

9 reasons why Saraki will not resign


– Senate president Bukola Saraki is currently facing a 13-count charge bothering on corruption and false assets declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)

– Several groups have asked him to resign from his position

– A group of Nigerians in the diaspora have condemned calls for his resignation

The Nigerians in Diaspora Group for Rule of Law has countered those asking for the resignation of Senate President, Bukola Saraki saying the issues are being deliberately confused to achieve the goals of some highly placed individuals.


Group condemns call for Saraki’s resignation

Reacting to the several calls for Saraki’s resignation, including from another United Kingdom based group, the body said facts in the public domain “clearly proves that the Senate President is the victim of persecution that is being made to look like prosecution for alleged corruption offences.”

Read 9 major highlights of the groups statement as issued by its representative, Collins Achaluda below:

1. The supposed trial of Senator Bukola Saraki was already concluded and a guilty verdict passed in the media and court of public opinion before the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting properly got underway.


2. The conduct of the Tribunal chairman, Mr Danladi Umar, has clearly betrayed the secret trial that has been held with a verdict already agreed to going by the way he regularly suffers outbursts of rage whenever Saraki’s defence counsels table facts before him.

3. Those citing the example of the former Prime Minister of Iceland, Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson, who resigned over the Panama Papers affair are being clever by half as they failed to also mentioned the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, who has continued in office despite protests for him to step down after being linked to offshore assets in the Panama Papers leak.

4. Our firm belief is that leaders that are committed to improving the life of citizens must not cave in because of pressure from blackmailers who package their selfish interests to look like something driven by popular demand.

5. It has also emerged that the Senate President’s opposition to a planned Muslim/Muslim ticket was the main thing that made him enemies with those in the corridors of powers who think he had cut short their own ambitions.

6. Politics should not be played like this. It should not be about abusing state institutions to score personal scores and to persecute those who out of consideration for what is best for nation refused to support anti-people concepts.

7. The concept remains innocent until proven in Nigeria but this has not been the situation in Senator Saraki’s case as his accusers sustain a campaign to boot him out of office for allegations he has not been convicted for. How can one be innocent when his accuser is both the judge and the witness?

9. The federal government who is persecuting him has its attack dog, which is the EFCC as their ring leader while Danladi Umar, another jury who was caught red handed in a bribery allegation is the same time the jury to deliver a judgment to save his face. This is unfair.

The group warned that critical national institution like the CCT may  be irreparably damaged if they are continually deployed as instrument of oppression as opposed to anti-corruption assets that they are meant to be.

As Saraki trial continues at the CCT, Danladi Umar, the chairman, on Wednesday, April 27, entertained the hearing of the motion to disqualify him.

The motion filed by Ajibola Oluyede, one of Saraki’s counsels, aimed at asking the judge to withdraw from the trial due to his case with the Economic Financial Crimes Commission.

#OccupyPresidency #OccupyAsoRock

Now that we have #OccupiedNASS I think it is high time we occupied the Ministry of Power for the Epileptic Supply of Electricity.

Let also occupy NNPC and Ministry of Petroleum for scarcity and
perpetual hike in fuel's price.

We shouldn't also forget to occupy the Presidency for the poor state of our economy. God bless Nigeria!!!!!

TWO GROUPS OF PROTESTERS DESCEND ON THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
-#OccupyNASS protesters fight over distribution of money
- Pro-Saraki protesters shut out from National Assembly Complex

As the National Assembly resumed for plenary on Tuesday morning, two groups of protesters descended on the premises of the Assembly, with one group called #OccupyNASS calling for an end to the budget impasse between the legislature and the executive, and another group showing support for the leadership of the Senate, specifically, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

The two groups converged at the National Assembly, after The #OccupyNASS protesters gathered at Unity Fountain in Maitama, then made their way towards the National Assembly, while the group that stood in support of the Senate President, proceeded to the National Assembly from Eagles Square.

At 11:21, several BRT buses dropped-off about 100 Hausa-speaking protesters who joined the #OccupyNASS protests. Both groups then proceeded separately to the National Assembly.

However, at the main entrance of the National Assembly, the #OccupyNASS protesters were allowed into the complex, while the pro-Saraki group were declined entry.

Speaking with reporters, several of the protesters who showed up in support of the Senate leadership, alleged that it was suspicious that the police would allow one group inside the Assembly premises, while refusing another one entry.

“If they don’t listen to us or allow us in,” Abimbola Oyeranti, a pro-Saraki protester said, “We will jump in.”

Meanwhile, the #OccupyNASS protesters, who were organised by a group called Citizens United for Peace and Stability (CUPS), began fighting each other, on crossing to the premises of the National Assembly, with several of the protesters demanding their payment for participating in the process before continuing on.

It will be recalled that CUPS set up online pages urging people to donate to their cause. However, over the past few days, online reports pointed to the fact that a prominent North-West Governor, and a South-West leader of the ruling party, APC, had donated hundreds of millions of Naira in order to attempt to force the Senate President out of office.

PRESS RELEASE

April 25, 2016


Saraki's Office Alert Public on Planned Protest for Tomorrow


The Office of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has alerted members of the public on the plan by some politicians to create public disorder tomorrow through a sponsored demonstration that will seek to ground human and vehicular activities on some major streets of Abuja, particularly, those leading to the National Assembly Complex.


In a statement signed by the Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki's Offfice stated that the sponsors of the protests are determined to ground the operations of the National Assembly to prove the point that the members should move against the leadership of the Senate.


"We have information that the sponsors have been deploying resources to ensure that a sizable crowd was mobilized to create chaos, confusion and tension around the streets of Abuja. Money and other materials are being provided for the organizers by the sponsors.


"Their aim, as we have earlier stated, is to further create an atmosphere of confusion by forcing the Senators to move against their leadership, particularly, the Senate President. We have insisted that while Nigerians have the inalienable right to express their opinion, move and associate freely with others, so as to convey their wishes and aspirations to their leaders, they should avoid being used by those who have ulterior motives, particularly those who want to settle political scores on the streets instead of the floor of the Senate.


"Our concern is to warn that those who are recruiting others to protest and their recruits should not create a situation of breakdown of law and order or create an atmosphere that will be seized by hoodlums to bring about needless crisis.


"We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, his officers and men to prevent any incident that can be used to wreak havoc on the generality of the people or on public institutions and facilities. Nigerian should learn to respect due process and allow the rule of law to take its natural course", the statement concluded.


Signed 


Yusuph Olaniyonu


Special Adviser (Media and Communication)

CONVENER OF #OCCUPYNASS "IDRIS AHMED" WANTED BY SECURITY AGENTS

Founder, Citizen United for Peace and Stability (CUPS) and Convener of National Assembly Protest, Idris Ahmed popularly known as “Idi Burgu” is currently embroiled with accusations of collecting kickbacks from politicians to do their bidding.

Ahmad is alleged to have opened a bank account in his name dedicated to receiving funds from unsuspecting Nigerians at home and abroad with the claim of using such funds to fight injustice and correct other anomalies within the society.

However, research has shown that Mr. Ahmed, who was reported to have collected over 10Million Naira personally into his account at a New Generation Bank in Nigeria from a North West Governor, cannot even come to Nigeria due to pending charges against him by Economic Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

In the report, Ahmed, a staff of the Federal Capital Development Authority, had between 2003 and 2007 illegally registered an independent land office which he used to syphon funds from  unsuspecting members of the public by issuing fake certificate of  occupancy to the tune of millions of Naira.

Similarly, Early this month, Ahmed, who claims to be spearheading a protest tagged the mother of all protests against National Assembly, has been soliciting funds from unsuspecting Nigerians to justify his appetite to swindle members of the public for their personal funds.

Out of desperation, CUPS has gone to the extent of claiming to be in partnership with reputable organisations to give its fraudulent rally a degree of credibility. BudgIT, a noteable Civil Society Organization in Nigeria, which has been credited with developing easily digestable infographics on developments all over Nigeria, was quoted to have dissociated itself from the organization after it claimed BudgIT was one of its partners for fundraising purposes.

Additionally, members of the public have been cautioned by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), to be careful when sending funds to individuals and groups soliciting for money, as this has been a primary mechanism for fraudsters to extort unsuspecting Nigerians.

With the multiple crisis situations and in the country, other groups have also began to call for protests against the fuel scarcity that has lasted more than six months, the killings by Fulani herdsmen, and the power distribution crisis in the country that has millions of homes receiving between 3 to 5 hours of light daily.

15 Key Points from Senate President Bukola Saraki's Candid Response

http://www.abubakarbukolasaraki.com

1. "I did not do any deal with the PDP. I did not have to because even before the PDP Senators as a group took the decision to support my candidature on the eve of the inauguration of the 8th Senate, 22 PDP Senators had already written a letter supporting me" - @BukolaSaraki

2. "What I did not envisage was a situation where some members of my party would not be in the chambers that day, especially when the clerk had already received a proclamation from the President authorizing the inauguration of the Senate." - @BukolaSaraki

3. "Pray, if a team refused to turn up for a scheduled match and was consequently walked over, would it be fair to blame the team that turned up and claimed victory?" - @BukolaSaraki

4. "It was a game of numbers, and we were hopelessly outnumbered. If the PDP had nominated their own candidate for the Senate Presidency position that day, they would have won. It was as simple as that." - @BukolaSaraki

5. "...the President of the Senate is not an executive president. He is primarily one of 109 senators. Therefore, I cannot decide by myself who gets what in the Senate. Therefore, when they said I defied party directive in the choice of principal officers, they are invariably ascribing to me the power that I did not have." - @BukolaSaraki

6. "...I have no problem with anybody. My concern was that it would not be politically smart of us to run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket. I doubt if we would have won the election if we had done this, especially after the PDP had successfully framed us a Muslim party. I felt we were no longer in 1993." - @BukolaSaraki

7. "What they say to themselves, among other things, was that if he could conspire against our ambition, then he must not realize his own ambition as well... I only stood for what I believed was in the best interest of the party and in the best interest of Nigeria." - @BukolaSaraki

8. "I have had opportunity to declare my assets four times since 2003. Over those years, the Code of Conduct Bureau had examined my claims... you should be surprised that while I am being tried by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the witness and the evidence supplied against me were all from EFCC." - @BukolaSaraki

9. "...the onus is not on me to prove that I have confidence in the judiciary; the burden is on my prosecutors to prove to the world that justice is done in my case. If the process of fighting corruption is itself corrupt, then whatever victory is recorded would remain tainted and puerile!" - @BukolaSaraki

10. "Strange things have happened, and they are still happening... It was on this basis that the case against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was dismissed in 2011, by this same judge in this same Tribunal on the grounds that he was not given an opportunity to deny or admit to any breach before he was brought before the tribunal. This was the ruling that I relied on in making my case. But what did the judge say? That he had judged in error in 2011 and he had since realized his error and departed from it. My question is whether a Tribunal of first instance has the power to reverse itself... However, in spite of my fears, I remain hopeful. Why? Because the judiciary does not end with this Tribunal." - @BukolaSaraki

11. "I remain proud that I was the Senator that blew the lid on the most elaborate corruption scheme ever in this country. But after that I became a marked man. My security was withdrawn. I was invited and re-invited by the EFCC and the Special Fraud Unit. I was even declared wanted at a point. I believe I am still one of the most investigated former governors in this country." - @BukolaSaraki

12. "I do not expect to be shielded from prosecution because of my contribution to APC, if there was genuine basis for such action to be taken against me. But I have every reason to expect not to be persecuted by the party that I contributed so much to build." - @BukolaSaraki

13. "I have not expected any special compensation. Rather, I only expect to be treated like every loyal party member and accorded the right to freely aspire!" - @BukolaSaraki

14. "The Senators have freely accompanied me to the Tribunal not because they are loyal to me as Abubakar Bukola Saraki, but because they are committed to the principle that produced me as the President of the Senate. . They see all of us in the Senate leadership as manifestation of their jealously guarded right to freely choose their own leaders... They also know what this trial is all about. They believe I am being victimized because they have expressed their right to choose their own leadership. This is why I am not in any way perturbed by my absence in the chambers during this trial. Because I was not imposed on the Senate, I feel confident that the Senate will protect its own choice whether I am present or not... It is about the independence of the legislature. It has always been so since 1999. It is so today and it would be so in 2019, it would be so in 2023, and as long as we practice a democracy that operates on the principle of separation of powers." - @BukolaSaraki

15. “I am not alone in this trial. On trial with me in this process is the entire judicial system. On trial with me is our entire anti-corruption institutions and our avowed commitment to honestly fight corruption. On trial with me is our party’s promise to depart from the ways of the past, a promise that Nigerians voted for." - @BukolaSaraki

How U.S Federal Agents succesfully Linked Bola Tinubu to drug Trafficking Ring in Chicago
Facts have emerged that the erstwhile Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may have been involved in a white heroin trafficking network which operated in Chicago and some parts of Indiana and led by one Adegboyega Mueez Akande between 1988 and 1993. The source of the white heroine was identified as one Mr. Lee Andrew Edwards who was incarcerated for attempting to murder a federal agent while the agent was executing a search warrant on him.

BY SAHARA REPORTERS

Facts have emerged that the erstwhile Governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu may have been involved in a white heroin trafficking network which operated in Chicago and some parts of Indiana and led by one Adegboyega Mueez Akande between 1988 and 1993. The source of the white heroine was identified as one Mr. Lee Andrew Edwards who was incarcerated for attempting to murder a federal agent while the agent was executing a search warrant on him. According to the Verified Complaint for forfeiture in case No. 93 C 4483 Obtained by SaharaReporters, which was filed on July 26, 1993 before the Hon. Judge Nordberg of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the United States Government urged the Court to order the forfeiture of funds in accounts Nos. 263226700 held by First Heritage Bank in the name of Bola Tinubu, funds in accounts 39483134, 39483396, 4650279566, 00400220, 39936404 and 39936383 held by Citibank N.A in the name of Bola Tinubu and funds in accounts 52050-89451952,52050-89451952, 52050-89451953 held by Citibank in the name of Bola Tinubu because there was probable cause to believe that the funds in Tinubu’s bank accounts represented proceeds of narcotics trafficking or were monies involved in financial transactions in violations of 18 U.S.C, sections 1956 and 1957 and therefore, was forfeitable to the U.S Government.

However, in a tacit defense of the ownership of the funds, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu averred in Court that the funds belonged to himself, his wife, K.O Tinubu and his surrogate mother, Alhaja Mogaji and warranted that they had exclusive right, title and interest to the funds.

In an affidavit sworn to by Kevin Moss, a Special Agent with the United States Internal Revenue Service, criminal investigation division in support of the verified complaint for forfeiture of Bola Tinubu’s moneys held in various Bank accounts, the agent gave a vivid account of how he came to the conclusion that the funds were proceeds of narcotics transaction in violation of the U.S law.

Mr. Moss averred that prior to and during 1988; the government became involved in the investigation of a white heroin trafficking network operating in Chicago, Illinois and Hammond, Indiana. The investigation disclosed that an individual known as Lee Andrew Edwards was a source of white heroin. The government sources provided information about Lee Andrew Edwards including the identity of a telephone number which activated in electronic pager. This pager according to him was to be called to place an order for white heroin. According to Mr. Moss, this pager was subscribed to by one Adegboyega Mueez Akande who at that time was a resident of Chicago. Mr. Moss further averred that during February 1988, an individual named Abiodun Agbele arrived in the U.S from Nigeria and during investigation by the government, Agbele disclosed that Akande was his uncle who provided him an apartment in Hammond, Indiana.

According to Agbele, Mr. Akande returned to Nigeria in1990; however, before he left, he instructed Agbale to serve as a source of white heroin for Mr. Lee Andrew Edwards as a result of which Agbele sold white heroin for Lee Andrew Edwards on numerous occasions. Following a tip off, Agbele sold one ounce of white heroin to a law enforcement agent undercover on November 28, 1990 for $7,000 and was subsequently arrested. After his arrest, Agbele agreed to cooperate with the law enforcement agents regarding the white heroin distribution and network of Akande.

According to Agbele, Akande controlled the operation of white heroin from Nigeria in conjunction with other individuals in Nigeria and the U.S. One other individual who worked with Akande according to the affidavit was identified as Bola Tinubu who later became the governor of Lagos state from 1999 to 2007.

The investigation also revealed that in December 1989, Akande took Bola Tinubu to First Heritage bank where Bola Tinubu opened an individual money market. In the account opening application, Tinubu, gave his address as 7504 South Stewart, Chicago, the same address used previously by Akande and his company, Globe-Link. This is the same address used as the drop-off point for packages from Nigeria that contained the white heroin. According to bank records, Bola Tinubu also opened a joint checking account in his name and the name of his wife, Oluremi Tinubu. Mrs. Tinubu had previously opened a joint Bank account also in the same bank with Abdrey Akande, the wife of the heroin kingpin, Adegboyega Mueez Akande.

Upon opening the account, Tinubu deposited the sum of $1,000 in traveler’s check. However, five days after opening the account, specifically, on January 4, 1990, Tinubu deposited the sum of $80,000 into the account. According to the federal agent, in a credit application dated January 6, 1990, Bola Tinubu disclosed that he resided at 7504 South Stewart and that Mueez A. Akande was his cousin. Tinubu further stated that he was an employee of Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited, Fairfax, Virginia and his take home pay was $2,400 per month. Additionally, Tinubu stated on the application that he had no other sources of income and listed his wife, Oluremi Tinubu as co-applicant for the application for automobile loan. The loan was secured with the certificate of deposit in the amount of $10,000 which Tinubu had purchased with a withdrawal from the $80,000 deposit in his checking account.

According to the federal agent, Bank records from First heritage Bank disclosed that in 1990 alone, Bola Tinubu deposited $661,000 into his individual money market account and in 1993; he deposited the sum of $1,216,500 into the same money market account. The agent further avers that in 1991, Tinubu began opening accounts at Citibank in the section known as the world-wide personal banking unit where he transferred the sum of $560,000 from his money market account at the First Heritage Bank.

This development prompted the Federal agents to interview representatives from Mobil Oil regarding Tinubu’s employment status and his take-home pay. The Mobil Oil representatives confirmed to the investigators that Tinubu was employed by the Mobil Oil as a treasurer. Mobil Oil further told the federal agents that this position did not involve the transfer of large amounts of money between banking institutions. Mobil oil representatives also stated that under no circumstance would Tinubu be permitted to retain money belonging to Mobil Oil in accounts bearing Tinubu’s name. Finally, Mobil Oil confirmed that the corporation never had any accounts in banks in the southern suburbs of Chicago.

On January 10, 1992, the federal agents obtained a court Order freezing Tinubu’s accounts at First Heritage Bank and Citibank respectively. Thereafter, Tinubu contacted the First Heritage Bank to transfer money from his accounts and was advised that the accounts had been seized by the U.S Treasury.

On January 13, 1992, Mr. Moss, the Federal agent contacted Bola Tinubu in Nigeria by phone using a number provided to the First Heritage Bank by Tinubu himself. Mr. Moss averred that during the course of the interview, Bola Tinubu confirmed that he knew Mueez Adegboyega Akande. Tinubu further admitted during the interview with the federal agent that he had wire transferred $100,000 to Akande’s bank account in Houston and that the. $80,000.00 of the funds used to open the account at First Heritage Bank had come from Akande. Tinubu further admitted that he had other accounts in Fairfax, Virginia and London. Concluding his affidavit evidence, Mr. Moss stated that with all these evidence, there was probable cause to believe that the funds in the accounts held by First Heritage Bank and Citibank, N.A in the name of Bola Tinubu represented property that was involved in narcotics transaction in violation of the U.S law. He therefore, urged the Court to issue an order of forfeiture of the funds.

After a protracted litigation in which Bola Tinubu claimed that the monies legitimately belonged to him, his wife, Oluremi Tinubu and his surrogate mother, one Alhaja Mogaji, Bola Tinubu finally opted for a stipulated settlement with the U.S government. According to the settlement Order dated September 15, 1993; Hon. Judge John A Nordberg ordered that the sum of $460,000 held by Bola Tinubu in The First Heritage Bank account be forfeited to the United States Government. The Court also ordered the release of the funds held in the Citibank account and any money held in excess of $460,000 at the First Heritage account to Bola Tinubu in line with the agreement and stipulation reached by Tinubu with the federal agents.

Ironically, this case came up at the peak of the struggle against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election by the Gen. Babagida-led military junta during which time Tinubu as a member and one of the leading financiers of the National democratic Coalition (NADECO) made several “pro-democracy” trips to the U.S ostensibly to press for U.S sanctions against the Nigerian junta. It is therefore doubtful whether most of those trips were actually connected with the June 12, struggle after all.

How Saraki’s Education Fund Changed Our Lives – Beneficiaries


http://leadership.ng/features/520864/sarakis-education-fund-changed-lives-beneficiaries

In this piece, Abdullahi Olesin presents the testimonies of some persons who benefitted from the education fund set up by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki in his home state, Kwara.

When Oguntominiyi Esther (21) and Oguntominiyi Yemi (23) lost their father in 2004 and mother in 2008, their hope of having university education seemed dashed. Being from a poor home, they knew it was next to impossible for them to afford university education, and in this age when higher education appears to be everything, their future looked bleak.

But when all hope seemed lost, when the siblings had almost given up all dreams of entering the four walls of a university, succor came for them in 2013. Prior to that time, the Senate President; Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki had pledged to use his pension as a former governor of Kwara State as educational endowment for the benefit of indigent students of Kwara origin.

Esther and Yemi from Share in Ifelodun local government area of the state were among the first set of indigent students to benefit from the Abubakar Bukola Saraki Student’s Foundation (ABSSF) scheme.

Today, Esther is a 300 level English/ Education student at the University of Ilorin while her brother, Yemi is a 400 level Civil Engineering student in the same university.

Since the commencement of the ABSSF scheme in 2013, over 400 indigent students had been awarded bursary and scholarship. The scheme had also obtained JAMB forms for about 5000 students.

At the official launching of the programme in 2014, Saraki had announced that 100 students would benefit from it annually.

A very elated Esther told her story: “It was in the year 2013 I was given a JAMB form free of charge by the Saraki Foundation. It paved the way for me to gain admission into the University of Ilorin. That year, there were four of us from my family seeking admission into the university. It was a great relief when JAMB forms were given to two of us in my family by the Saraki Foundation. Before this gesture, we could not get assistance from anyone.

“They did not only give us the forms they also organized tutorials for us for six weeks and fed us throughout the period. I sat for the examination, scored 206 points and gained admission into the University of Ilorin that same year. Upon a special request, Saraki also paid our tuition fees in 2013.”

She explained that there was no way she would have attended a university without the support of the ABSSF. Although Esther is fulfilling her dream, she is aware that there are many indigent students who also require support. “I want to plead with the senate president to continue with the scholarship programme and if possible expand it so that other indigent students like us can have access to quality education,” she said.

Although two members of her family have benefited from the Saraki Foundation, one of her siblings could not go further because of lack of funds. “We are a family of three children-two male and one female. Our sibling just completed his National Diploma programme. He could not go to the university because of financial constraint. That’s why I plead with Senate President to graciously consider expanding the scope of the foundation,” said.

Like his sister, Yemi is full of praise for the Saraki Foundation. His story: “I completed my secondary education in 2009 while my sister completed hers’ in 2011.Between 2011 and 2013 my sister had to go and learn a trade -fashion design-because there was no money to sponsor her higher education. Until the Foundation intervened and changed our story. So, we thank Saraki for his assistance which has made our dream of having university education a reality”.

Umar Aliyu Ayinla (43) is another beneficiary of the Abubakar Bukola Saraki students Foundation. A 400 level student of Political Science from the University of Ilorin, Ayinla’s JAMB form was paid for by the foundation.

“It was a dream come true,” he recalled. “I had earlier obtained HND (Accounting) in 1998 at the Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin but because of the dichotomy in HND and Degree certificates I decided to further my education. I saw it as a challenge to have a degree, so when the issue of ABSSF free JAMB programme was launched in 2013 I had the opportunity of not only having the free form but also benefited from the coaching classes which aided my performance during the examination.

“Though I am a teacher at junior secondary school level, I could not afford the form because of the prevailing economic situation and family commitments. I am from Ori-oko in Ilorin west LGA and married with four children. I want to thank Saraki for his kind gesture but like Oliver Twist I want to plead with him to pay the tuition fees of those that got admission into the university through the scheme as he has done for some Law School students”.

SARAKI: THE VICTIM OF JUDICIAL INCONSISTENCY IN NIGERIA

by Folashade Adegboyega

It is painful that when you think Nigeria has discarded its image as a country with dysfunctional institutions where bizarre things happen regularly, the government manages to find a way to vindicate those who say Nigeria is a country where wonders shall never end. The latest example is the charging of Senate President, Bukola Saraki to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on alleged false declaration of assets dating back to 2003, when he was governor of Kwara State.

 Judging from the political maneuvers that culminated in Saraki’s emergence as Senate President, it is certainly an unimaginable coincidence, for the Attorney General to prefer charges against the Senate President 12 years after the alleged crimes were committed. This invariably suggests a shameful vendetta against Saraki, who assumed the Senate presidency against the so-called directive of his party; the All Progressive Congress. This is undemocratic if political parties will have to be electing leaders for the Legislature, an independent arm of government from their Secretariat (APC). This development is a sad commentary on due process; in addition to being the shame of a nation. For all things considered, neither the fight against corruption nor that of purposeful leadership would be served; a tragedy Nigeria can do without.

Expectedly, the controversy has agitated the public and generated controversial allegations with many unanswered questions; not the least of which is the timing. Why did it take 12 years for the Conduct of Conduct Bureau to realize Saraki made false assets declaration? In timing, the charges are absurd, almost full of politics and illegality; in a way that shows a certain political pettiness at the highest level of Nigeria’s leadership. The Presidency has come out strongly to deny any involvement, saying the 13-count charge bordering on corruption and alleged false declaration of assets, leveled against Saraki is purely a judicial process. 

On this score, the office of the Attorney General of the Federation; which filed the charges before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, has a lot of explanations to do for Nigerians to believe that the charges are not politically-motivated. Already the trial at CCT has been tainted by political motivation. The idea that it was triggered by petitions from some fictitious groups in Kwara and the idea of Saraki collecting salaries from Kwara State government since leaving office has been denied by the government and is unfounded. Although Saraki has the opportunity to prove his innocence of the allegations that form the charges against him, no member of the class of 2003 governors has been subjected to scrutiny based on the averments on the asset declaration forms at the Code of Conduct Bureau. Mischief or malicious intent may be secondary to an issue of criminality but the question of morality and fairness must always be raised when national interest is at stake. 

In the light of these developments at the Saraki’s trial, it is important to make reference to the 2011 ruling delivered by Justice Danladi Umar in the case of FRN vs TINUBU AND FRN vs Saraki 2016.

In that ruling of the CCT, involving Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the All Progressives Congress National Leader –

“There is condition precedent before this court (Code of Conduct Tribunal) that the accused person (Bola Tinubu) ought to have been invited by the Code of Conduct Bureau before this charge was filed…it however failed to adduce evidence of invita­tion it extended to the accused per­son prior to charge. Consequently, it will be proper for me at this stage to cease further exercise of jurisdic­tion since the condition precedent was not met before the charge was filled.” –Justice Danladi Umar (Chairman, CCT in Tinubu’s Case, Nov. 30th, 2011).”

In the case of the Senate President the same Chairman of the CCT, has the audacity say to the world that 

“The Tribunal has since real­ised that the decision it made on the case between FRN vs. Tinubu was in error and has clearly depart­ed from it.” --Justice Danladi Umar (Chairman, CCT when dis­charging Saraki’s objections, 24th March, 2016).

“…Under Section 3(d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tri­bunal Act, CCB ought to have confronted him (Saraki) with the alleged infractions in his Asset Dec­laration forms before charges were instituted again. Justice Danladi Umar based his ruling on the fact that CCB did not invite Tinubu to clear his name be­fore filing charges. Certain questions need to be asked, Did CCB in­vite Saraki to clear discrepancies discovered in Assets Declaration form before proceeding with filing of charges? Why different strokes for different folks? The same Pan­el of CCT Judges, laws but different rulings?  Is the CCT operat­ing with different laws for individu­als? Does Justice Umar still reserve moral impetus and legal objectivi­ty to proceed with this all-impor­tant trial, having indicted himself via inconsistent rulings?

This judgment by Justice Umar-led CCT al­ready showed high level of inconsistency, when compared with judi­cial precedent, in this on-going trial of Senate President Saraki..There is no doubt that the on-going trial has opened up Nigeria’s criminal justice system cum jurisprudence, to ridicule and all manner of ju­dicial contradictions by the same temple of justice, who are sup­posed to be custodian of the law. The above self-contradictory rul­ings of Justice Danladi Umar in the case of Saraki’s objections considering his ruling on Tinubu’s case in 2011, when juxtaposed with the argument of Defence Counsel, left much to be desired.

Justice Danladi Umar stated clearly that CCT under his Chairmanship “has since realised that the decision it made on the case between FRN vs. Tinu­bu was in error and has clearly de­parted from it”. The questions Nigerians are asking which the AGF needs provide urgent answer to, are as follows: what if Tinubu was sentenced to years of imprisonment in “error” by Justice Umar-led CCT, would he have accepted publicly that the in­famous judgment was passed in “error”? Would Tinubu have kept quiet after realizing that he was sen­tenced in “error”?

When did he “realised” and “de­parted” from the so-called errone­ous ruling? Would Nigerians have known that the CCT erred in dis­charging Tinubu if not for Saraki’s trial? Was Justice Umar’s erroneous ruling not a major setback on the anti-corruption crusade?  Are we sure that Justice Umar-led CCT will not “realise” tomorrow, when presiding over another politically-instigated trial that his prospective verdict on Saraki’s case “was” done in error?Why is Justice Umar alluding to error? Who bears consequenc­es of Justice Umar’s erroneous rul­ings? Why must we allow a Judge to be experimenting with high profile cases? Can’t this Danladi Umar step down as Chairman of CCT? Must he continue with Saraki’s trial, after gross display of incompetence and coupled with the fact that he is currently being investigated by the EFCC.

Why would judicial pronounce­ments, in sensitive trial that has al­ready attracted international at­tention be made based on a Judge’s will, which will later be disguised as “error”? An­swers to above articulated ques­tions, will go a long way in assuag­ing restive thoughts, racing through the mind of legal minds Nigerians  who are, interested in the outcome of this trial for posterity. The CCB cannot claim ignorance of the law and its own statutes to have precipitated the public showmanship in what has turned out to be an unnecessary embarrassment that served no other purpose that overheat the polity and traumatize the nation and the person of Senate President Bukola Saraki. The tragedy of this trial is that the aggrieved politicians who are sponsoring this trial are yet to imbibe the essential attributes of the rule of law. For them, law is no more than a tool of fulfilling their political dreams and aspirations. This is a serious aberration that reduces it to a respecter of persons, and gives way to an obnoxious philosophy, that makes public office holders unquestionable and beyond reproach. Nigerians want an effective prosecution of all cases of corruption and other excesses to serve as a deterrent to others, not this present witch hunting of persons perceived to be political enemies and the media dramas currently starring the nation’s anti-graft and security agencies. 


-Folashade is the chief political analyst for Only Justice, an NGO that advocates for the free and fair dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

Nigerians On Twitter React To Danladi Umar's Outburst

The mild drama that ensued today at the court during the Code of Conduct Tribunal where its Chairman, Danladi Umar erupted violently during a motion raised by one of Senator Saraki's lawyer Raphael Oloyede reminding him of an existing motion filed on Wednesday, April 20th, 2016, seeking the CCT boss to disqualify himself from participating in the trial based on bias.

Danladi Umar reacted angrily to the lawyers request and threatened to charge him for contempt before sending him out of the court room.

Interestingly, the video of Umar flaring up angrily has circulated through different online mediums and the majority of the Nigerian community on Twitter has condemned his attitude as a presiding judge losing his temper easily when it is obvious that his job entails that he'd be met with stiffer provocations as provided for both the defense and prosecution team.

A twitter user, @Adekunle025, described Umar's attitude as unprofessional of presiding judge and chairman of a Tribunal for that matter.

Another twitter handle, @ said: Danladi Umar yelled at a fellow lawyer and shouted "Shut Up". This clearly shows that he's biased and doesn't want to entertain arguments.

In retrospect, most users have accused the CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar of displaying an attitude inimical to the ethics establishing the tribunal and setting a dangerous trend to the justice system.

COMEDY IN COURT AS DAN LADI UMAR ASSUMES THE ROLE OF WITNESS IN #CCTvsSARAKI


It was an action-packed court session today, as several interesting revelations came to light as the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, entered its fifth day.

Earlier in the day, based on the Chairman of the CCT, Dan Ladi Umar’s, double-booking of cases at the same time and on the same day, the lead counsel of a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who is also on trial at the CCT, argued that double-booking two cases was an abuse of court processes.

In a heated rebuttal, the CCT Chairman ordered Orubebe’s counsel to sit down, and said that he was proceeding with Saraki’s case despite the protestations of Orubebe’s counsel.

When the cross-examination of the first witness in the case, Mr. Micheal Wetkas, an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) continued, counsel to the Senate President, Paul Usoro (SAN), had to point out that the CCT Chairman was acting as if he was the one on the stand.

In a comical exchange on the usage of credit and debit cards, Usoro asked Wetkas whether he owned a debit card to which Wetkas responded: “I am not a banker, but I have an ATM card.”

At that point, Umar began explaining what a credit card was to the court, to which Usoro responded:

“Thank you for that explanation my lord,” he said, “The only problem that I have here is that my lord is not the one on the witness stand.”

At that point, the whole court burst into laughter, knowing fully well that Umar’s role as a judge is meant to be neutral in the cross-examination process.

The CCT Chairman immediately asked both Counsels to adjourn the cross-examination for 15 minutes.