₦airaland Forum

The ongoing trial of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki is not in any way affecting governance in Kwara State, writes Hammed Shittu

There is no doubting the fact that the current travails of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki over his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegation of false assets declaration, when he was governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011 has begun to create an impression that it would affect governance in the state.

But government in the state is focused on delivering on its electoral promises to the people even though it has left the Saraki matter in the hands of God. Apart from this, residents of the state especially his kinsmen in ‎Ilorin have been praying fervently as the only weapon believed could bail him out from his predicament.



Recently, organisations, opposition PDP and groups in the state had commented on the perceived political persecution being meted out to Saraki despite his contributions to the electoral success of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They rallied support for Saraki as a way to reduce tension occasioned by his emergence as Senate President against the wish of some persons in the APC.

Among the organisations siding with Saraki are Concerned Citizens on CCT, the Nigeria Need Positive Change Group (NNPCG), the Congress of Nigeria’s Political Parties (CNPP), Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the state’s chapter of the APC and its Kwara Central zone, leaders of thought in the North Central and the state Secretary of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Rex Olawoye.

In the build-up to the commencement of Saraki’s trial at the CCT, hundreds of youths and women in Ilorin, the state capital took to the streets and expressed solidarity with the Senate President. The state chairman of APC, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani while addressing the protesters lamented that from what has transpired so far at the tribunal, there was no need guessing that Saraki’s trial is a political set-up.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards carried by the protesters read: “Saraki’s case is political”; “CCT has two laws: one for Tinubu and one other Nigerians”; and “Sahara Reporters based in United States is an agent of evil.”
Leader of the protesters, Mr. Yinka Dalas asked the APC leaders to pass the message of the youths and women to the party’s hierarchy in Abuja, expressing disgust that Saraki was being persecuted after he had worked to help the party. “We as youths and women are concerned and that is why we have come here today. Senate President Bukola Saraki’s ongoing trial at the CCT is politically-motivated.

“This is a man that single-handedly exposed the fuel subsidy scam. We are protesting in his support today and we want APC leadership in the state to take our case to the appropriate quarters. They claimed he mismanaged our money, when he was the governor of Kwara State, but every discerning mind knows that it this same man that opened up Kwara to the whole world. His achievements in office are there for all who care to see.”

The Nigeria Needs Positive Change Group (NNPCG) in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Jide Jokotade, re-echoed ‎ its stand that the CCT should re-arraign Chief Bola Tinubu to answer charges preferred against him “because it is the same tribunal and the same Judge that has delivered different rulings in similar matters.”
Also, the state’s chapter of APC alleged the hijack ‎of CCT by those it described as desperate politicians. The party warned that the judiciary may throw the country into needless chaos and pandemonium. The APC made the allegation in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari.

It said President Muhammadu Buhari “should not be seen to be watching helplessly when politicians hijack a crucial arm of the government to carry out political vendetta against perceived political adversaries. Like the c‎ounsel to the Senate President rightly noted, we are convinced that the right thing has not been done as far as the charges are concerned. It is now clear and glaring that due process has not been followed and the CCB has broken its own laws.”
However, as the rallying of support continues for Saraki in the state, the day-to-day administration of the state is not lagging behind as both the state House of Assembly and the executive led by Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed have been working round the clock to ensure the timely delivery of electoral promises to the people.
In the legislative arena, the state assembly led by its speaker, Hon. Ali Ahmad has been rising to the needs of the people of the state in the issues of series of resolutions aimed at bringing government closer to the grassroots. The lawmakers have been meeting as and when due to deliberate on how the state can move forward.

Among the resolutions passed by the lawmakers are summoning of the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry; Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA); agencies and other relevant stakeholders on the indiscriminate felling of trees; passage of resolution on indiscriminate or illegal parking on the roads and abuse of no parking signs by shop owners on major roads in the Ilorin metropolis; resolution on erratic power supply and over-billing by the PHCN officials in the state; resolution urging the state government to see to the reconstruction of Ohan and Moro bridges and resolution to prohibit illegal issuance of certificate of origin in the state.

In the executive arena, Governor Ahmed has put in a lot of efforts for the inauguration of the verification committee to determine the higher increase in the wage bill of the government every month occasioned by the consequences of ghost workers. The committee which has commenced work has fished out a lot of ghost workers in some of the local government councils in the state.

The governor has also set up Kwara Internal Revenue service during the issue under review and this has now improved the internally generated revenue in the state in view of the dwindling monthly federal allocations to the state in the recent time. Apart from this, the governor has been meeting various stakeholders on how to develop the state and this was done during the ongoing travails of his leader, Senator Saraki.

Speaking with THISDAY, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Governor Ahmed, Dr. Muideen Femi Akorede said, “Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has sustained the pace of governance despite the current challenges posed by the CCT trial of his political father and most importantly, the problem imposed by drop in allocations.

“For example, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed recently paid N2.4 billion to contractors handling over 35 road projects spread across the state. These include the Aduralere-Isalekoko-Ojagboro-Sanu Sheu Road, Henry George-Agbo-Oba road, Henry George-Unilorin mini campus road, Ita-Alamuvillage road, Oloro palace road, Share-Oke 0de (lot 1) and Share-Oke Ode (lot 2).

“Others are Kishi-Kaiama road, Egbejila road, Ilorin, Arobadi Magida road in Moro LG, Baboko market road, Ilesha Baruba-Gwanara road, Rore-Ipetu road, construction of three span bridges in Ilala, Ifelodun LG, Oniju Street Babanloma in Ifelodun LG and Anilelerin road, Offa. Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed also announced that with the approval of the N10 billion infrastructural development bond by the Debt Management Office (DMO), the government will soon kick-start major developmental projects.”

He noted that the tempo of infrastructural development in the state would be accelerated, adding “Some of the projects tied to the bond, included the expansion of some major roads in the state capital, construction of two new campuses for Kwara State University in Ilesha-Baruba and Osi in Baruten and Ekiti local government areas respectively, construction of overhead bridge at Garin Alimi, construction of Kishi-Kaiama road, dualisation of Michael Imoudu to Ganmo road in Ilorin, and construction, equipping and fitting of New KWASU School of Business and Governance.

“Others are renovation and equipping of the Ilorin Stadium Indoor Sports Hall, Equipping and Training for the International Vocational Centre, Ajase Ipo, renovation of Oro General Hospital and four other cottage hospitals, renovation of 481 old classrooms and 318 new ones at secondary level, contribution to the construction and equipping of the Kwara Textile Industrial Park, Compliance with Contributory Pension Scheme and sinking of 938 boreholes.

“To increase water to supply to residents of the state and alleviate their sufferings, the state government has commenced the final phase of Ilorin water reticulation project. Similarly, as part of its vision to develop the State Housing sector, Governor Ahmed in March commenced the construction of a commercial complex known as The Hub, in Ilorin. The landmark ultra-modern shopping and office complex; a project of the Harmony Investment and Property Development Limited (HIPD), a subsidiary of Harmony Holdings, is one of government’s efforts aimed at stimulating the Kwara economy.

“The governor also commenced the construction of 1000 housing units at Budo-Osho area of Ilorin. The construction of the 1000 Maigida Housing Units aims at addressing the housing deficit in the state by providing quality and affordable shelters for low and middle class workers and free them from the shackle of landlords. The Housing scheme will comprise 700 three-bedroom flats and 300 two-bedroom flats”.

It is also worthy of note that the day-to-day governance at the 16 local government councils in the state are running smooth without any hindrance. The development has continued to give confidence to the administration that any time, the people of the state would continue to support the Saraki political dynasty in the state in view of the delivery of dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of the populace.
In his comment, the chairman, Association of Local‎ Government Council of Nigeria, Kwara State chapter, Alhaji Lateef Okandeji said the day-to-day administration has been going well at the grassroots.

Okandeji, who is also the chairman of Ilorin East local government council of the state said, “We have been delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the grassroots. We believe that the ongoing code of conduct tribunal trial of our leader and Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki was the handiwork of some political elements in the APC and by the grace of God they will be disappointed at the end of the day. It is a political persecution that would soon fade away because our leader didn’t deserve the kind of insult he has been exposed to.”
He assured the people that the present government would continue to embark on social infrastructure development that would improve the living standard of the rural populace.

Generally, the people and the political class in the state especially in the ruling APC are said to have put their minds to God to rescue the senate president in view of the fact that Saraki is seen as being persecuted by his political rivals in the APC, despite his contributions to the success of the APC.

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As the rallying of support continues for Saraki in the state, the day-to-day administration of the state is not lagging behind either as both the state House of Assembly and the Executive led by Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed have been working round the clock to ensure the timely delivery of electoral promises to the people

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, monday identified strict adherence to the rule of law and respect of the provisions of the constitution as sure ways to prevent tyranny and oppression in a democracy.

He also bemoaned the alleged selective approach in the present anti-corruption fight, noting that: “It’s being pursued according to the whims and caprices of those in power who persecute people according to the party they belong to.”

The lawmaker who disclosed this while speaking on the topic: ‘Strengthening the Foundations of Rule of Law in Nigeria’, at a public lecture in honour of late Prof. G. O. S Amadi, a renowned Professor of Law from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu Campus (UNEC), noted that anything short of respecting the rule of law would lead to anarchy.



He insisted that flagrant disobedience to judicial pronouncements remained a major threat to rule of law and survival of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The efficacy of the rule of law is hinged on the compliance by governmental bodies and agencies with decisions of courts and other judicial or adjudicatory bodies. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, disobedience to court orders appears to be the norm rather than the exception in many facets of our national life,” Ekweremadu stressed.

At the lecture, organised by the Faculty of Law, UNEC, and Prof. G. O. S Amadi Foundation at the Moot Court Complex, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Ekweremadu further stressed that the rule of law was indispensable in any society that craves for justice, equity, and fairness.

While noting that the foundation of the rule of law in Nigeria was the 1999 constitution, as amended, the Senate deputy president who is an alumnus and former lecturer at the Faculty of Law, was however quick to add that to make the foundation strong, all Nigerians have a duty and role to play.

“Those who think the strengthening of the rule of law is not their business are only playing the dangerous game of the cockerel, which refuses to attend a meeting of the animal kingdom, claiming it is not his business. But, sadly for him, it is agreed at the meeting that his lineage would be used as sacrifice to the gods. The cock and his kindred are yet to recover from that I-don’t-care attitude. The rule of law is, therefore, everybody’s business.
“We must all be ready and willing to live by the spirit and letters of our laws. Much of our problems are not about the laws themselves, but about our disrespect for them.”

Indeed, a major difference between us and the developed world is that while we choose which rules, laws, or court judgments to obey or not to obey, they command obedience to their laws through strict enforcement that does not respect persons. We need to imbibe that attitude and culture in order to strengthen the foundations of the rule of law in Nigeria,” Ekweremadu noted.

He also called on leaders at all levels to lead by example, insisting that it was one sure way to entrench the rule of law in Nigeria.

“On leading by example, the words of Justice Louis D. Brandeis in Olmstead vs. United States are instructive. In his dissenting opinion, he states: ‘Our Government is the potent, omnipresent teacher. For good or for ill, it teaches the people by its example. Crime is contagious. If the government becomes a lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto him and it invites anarchy’.

“It is very clear, therefore, that impunity and lawlessness are contagious. If those at the helms of leadership have no respect for the rule of law, their subordinates are not likely to respect the rule of law also. If they by any means show that the law is meant to catch their opponents and perceived enemies alone, they have unwittingly licenced their purported friends to scorn the rules and break the laws. And certainly, as a leader, you cannot choose which law or court verdict to obey or which to disobey,” he declared.

Drawing from the words of United States former President, Thomas Jefferson, Ekweremadu maintained that even under the best of leadership, no man was good enough to exercise power outside the dictates of the constitution or law, as that would amount to an invitation to tyranny and anarchy.

While eulogising the late Professor Amadi who he described as a true “trade unionist,” Ekweremadu said labour leaders of these days live ostentatious lives but turn round to criticise those in power.
According to him, “The other day, some labour leaders came to the Senate to protest against plans to acquire Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV) for senators and members of the House of Representatives but when some of our people went out, they took pictures of the SUVs these labour leaders drove to the National Assembly.”

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event, Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi, Chief Judge of Anambra State, who described Ekweremadu as “an icon” and a worthy alumnus of the UNN, emphasised the need for strict adherence to the process of arraignment, stating that there is nothing like “Holden Charge” under the Nigerian legal system.

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.

2016 Budget: Saraki assures Nigerians of adequate oversight ON MAY 7, 201612:00 AMIN NEWSCOMMENTS 22 1 0 0 By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has commended Nigerians for their patience while awaiting presidential assent to the 2016 Appropriation Act. He promised that the National Assembly will ensure its proper implementation through diligent oversight. President Buhari receives the Official report of the Screening of Ministerial Nominees from Senate President Bukola Saraki in Statehouse on 3rd Nov 2015 Saraki spoke after he joined the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other top government officials in witnessing the signing of the budget into law by President Muhammadu Buhari,yesterday. He said the responsibility was now that of both the executive and the legislature to ensure that the objectives and goals of the budget were duly realized. The Senate President 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.”

I'm as real as you are human I'm a fighter and a member of APC I am also an ardent supporter of the senate president for what he did in our community bringing a revolution in agriculture to us today we can feed our selves and farmers can send their kids to school to better their lives. He is doing more today as a senator and now he is the senate president and 3rd most powerful Nigerian enemies want to bring him down...pls join me in-support of him . Sarakis trial at CCT is illegal the premise is wrong the procedure is wrong the motive is sinful a crime and vendetta . The panel is not properly constituted it is therefore not able to execute its duty judiciously. The CCB is a civil court and Saraki is not refusing to update his records . Why can't they just update it . Say no to injustice say no to evil persecution by criminals in our midst. Buhari rise up to the challenge Osinbajo be civil speak and stop playing second fiddle . We must rise up against those trying to hijack NASS from Saraki so they can control the executive from kaduna or bourdillon .

Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has appealed to the executive arm of government to ensure ‎that the 2016 budget which was signed into law on Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari is fully implemented.
Saraki who spoke while at Buhari’s office after the president signed the budget said:‎ “So it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure implementation. It is our role to ensure that we follow the money and ensure that the document signed is fully implemented and Nigerians can benefit.”
He told the president that it was his pleasure to lead his colleagues in the National Assembly to be part of the signing of the 2016 budget.
He further told the president that‎: “The document that you have before you has continued to maintain the trust at ensuring that minimum of 30 percent goes into capital and ensure your policy on diversification which will ensure less reliance on oil revenue.
“Our journey here has been rather bumpy but I believe that that is not only in Nigeria.”All over the world, the legislation on appropriation and budgeting is the most important legislation.
“In all the democracies that we practise, there are always issues about passing the budget, policies, etc.

“We thank God that we have been able to come to this today in our country. I think that is a great achievement on the part of everybody.

“In other countries, even in the US that we copy, sometimes they close down government because they have not been able to achieve it.

I have every reason to expect not to be persecuted by the party I contributed so much to build

By Yemi Adebowale

The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has, for the first time, opened up on the intrigues of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over asset declaration issues and the role of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that his refusal to support a Muslim/Muslim ticket for the APC in the 2015 presidential election is largely responsible for his ordeal.



Saraki who wrote a reply to an earlier article published last Saturday by Dele Momodu in his Pendulum column said the position he took on the running mate issue was his “original sin” and those whose ambition were truncated by the position had been doing everything possible to frustrate him.

He said: “I have also been accused of helping to frustrate some people’s opportunity to emerge as President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate. But 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. Perhaps, more than ever before, Nigerians are more sensitive to issues of religious balancing. This was my original sin.

“What they say to themselves, among other things, was that ‘if he could conspire against our ambition, then he must not realise his own ambition as well.’ For me however, I have no regrets about this. I only stood for what I believed was in the best interest of the party and in the best interest of Nigeria. We have got to that point in our country when we no longer believe that anyone could stand for anything based on principles and convictions alone. Moreover, in the growing culture of media crucifixion and presumed guilt; it is rare to find a voice like yours that calls for fairness and justice.”

Saraki also chided his party for the role it has played so far in his trial. He said: “Let me make this point clearly. 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. The New PDP may not have given APC victory in 2015, but it was an important factor in the dynamics that produced that victory.

“And with all sense of modesty, I was an important factor in the formation of New PDP; in leading that group to the APC; in ensuring our group’s support for the candidate during the primaries and in mobilising substantial resources for the election. For these, 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.”

On allegations that in seeking to be Senate President, he struck a deal with the PDP and made it possible for one of them to be the Deputy Senate President, Saraki said he knew it was the dominant narrative across the nation, but it was far from the truth.

He continued: “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. 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 authorising the inauguration of the Senate.

“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? I believe those that made it possible for PDP to claim the Deputy Senate President position were those who decided to hold a meeting with APC senators elsewhere at the time they ought to be in the chambers. What the PDP Senators did was to take advantage of their numerical strength at the material time. They simply lined up behind Senator Ike Ikweremadu while those of us from APC voted for Senator Ali Ndume. 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.”

He said further that his ongoing trial was not about corruption: “I am happy that since my trial started, people who have followed the proceedings have now understood better what the whole thing is about. I have had opportunity to declare my assets four times since 2003. Over those years, the Code of Conduct Bureau had examined my claims. There was no time that they raised any issues with me on any item contained in my declarations over those twelve years. This is why 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 the EFCC.

“Like you, I have an abiding faith in the judiciary. May God forbid the day that we would give up on our judicial system. However, 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.

“Let me end by observing that 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. And I dare say, on trial with me is our media and their ethical commitment to report fairly and objectively. In the end, it is my earnest hope that whatever we do will ultimately ennoble our country.”

Read Saraki’s full letter in today’s Pendulum on the back page

Buhari Fails To Release Assets Declaration Document After CCB Verification
Buhari has been accused of failing to make public documents of his asset declaration as promised during the campaign.

President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has yet again reneged on his promise to make specific details of his assets public, failing to release comprehensive particulars of assets he filed to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The president had said he would make full disclosure after verification of the listed items by the CCB.

A statement by the Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday said verification of the president’s assets had “since” been concluded. On September 3, 2015, in the face of widespread criticisms, the presidency through Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, had released only some details of assets and liabilities filed by President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The statement said Mr. Buhari had N30 million in his bank account before taking office on May 29, while Mr. Osinbajo had N94 million and $900,000.

It listed other assets of the president to include five houses in Kaduna, Daura, Kano and Abuja; two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcourt.

Mr. Buhari also had farms, an orchard, ranch, livestock including 270 cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees, according to the statement. The president had an unstated “number of cars”.

Vice President Osinbajo owned 4-bedroom residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos and a 3-bedroom flat at 2 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, the statement said.
He also had a 2-bedroom flat at the popular Redemption Camp along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and a 2-bedroom mortgaged property in Bedford, England.

Apart from his law firm, known as SimmonsCooper, he had shareholding in Octogenerium Ltd., Windsor Grant Ltd., Tarapolsa, Vistorion Ltd., Aviva Ltd. and MTN Nigeria – all based in Lagos.

The release lacked specific details such as addresses and value of listed houses, and assets of spouses and unmarried children under 18.

The announcement came after repeated refusal by the new government to fulfil its promise of making the president’s assets public within its first 100 days in office.
Initially, the presidency had told Nigerians that Mr. Buhari was awaiting verification of the declared assets by the Code of Conduct Bureau before going public.

A week away from the government’s 100th day in office, amid mounting criticism, the presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress denied Mr. Buhari made any promise within his first 100 days in office. That claim was proven by PREMIUM TIMES to be untrue

When the presidency finally released some details of the assets, it assured Nigerians that full disclosure contained in the filed documents would be made public immediately after verification by the CCB.
“As soon as the CCB is through with the process, the documents will be released to the Nigerian public and people can see for themselves,” the statement by Mr. Shehu had said.

But a statement by the Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday shows the president reneged on that promise.

The statement, issued in response to a news report that verification of assets and liabilities declared by Messrs. Buhari, Osinbajo, President of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other top government officials, including Speaker Yakubu Dogara, had not been completed, CCB said it had concluded the process of verifying the declarations of the mentioned officials.

“The bureau wishes to inform the general public that it has since concluded the verification of assets declared by those mentioned in the said publication,” CCB said in a statement by its Head, Press and Protocol, Mohammed Idris.

While the statement did not disclose when the verification was concluded, it said the process was “since concluded”.

The statement also disclosed that there were still some government officials who were yet to comply with the law by declaring their assets and liabilities.

It however said the rate of compliance by public officers had increased since Mr. Buhari assumed office.

The bureau appealed to defaulting public officers to comply with the law by declaring their assets and liabilities to the bureau.

“The bureau will like to use this medium to appeal to those who are yet to declare their assets to visit the Asokoro, Head Office of No 23, Halle Salasi Street Asokoro, Abuja to collect, fill and submit same to the office,” said the statement.
“It could be observed that since the inception of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, the rate of compliance by public officials in responding to assets declaration has greatly increased,” said the statement.
Apparently referring to Mr. Saraki who is facing corruption trial at the Code of Conduct, CCB added that, “Therefore, the said publication is another trick to misinform the public so as to undermine the ongoing trials of cases of false declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal”.
The presidency did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Mr. Buhari’s spokespersons, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, did not respond to calls and text messages to their phones.

Buhari Fails To Release Assets Declaration Document After CCB Verification
Buhari has been accused of failing to make public documents of his asset declaration as promised during the campaign.

President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has yet again reneged on his promise to make specific details of his assets public, failing to release comprehensive particulars of assets he filed to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The president had said he would make full disclosure after verification of the listed items by the CCB.

A statement by the Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday said verification of the president’s assets had “since” been concluded. On September 3, 2015, in the face of widespread criticisms, the presidency through Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, had released only some details of assets and liabilities filed by President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The statement said Mr. Buhari had N30 million in his bank account before taking office on May 29, while Mr. Osinbajo had N94 million and $900,000.

It listed other assets of the president to include five houses in Kaduna, Daura, Kano and Abuja; two undeveloped plots of land, one in Kano and the other in Port Harcourt.

Mr. Buhari also had farms, an orchard, ranch, livestock including 270 cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees, according to the statement. The president had an unstated “number of cars”.

Vice President Osinbajo owned 4-bedroom residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos and a 3-bedroom flat at 2 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, the statement said.
He also had a 2-bedroom flat at the popular Redemption Camp along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and a 2-bedroom mortgaged property in Bedford, England.

Apart from his law firm, known as SimmonsCooper, he had shareholding in Octogenerium Ltd., Windsor Grant Ltd., Tarapolsa, Vistorion Ltd., Aviva Ltd. and MTN Nigeria – all based in Lagos.

The release lacked specific details such as addresses and value of listed houses, and assets of spouses and unmarried children under 18.

The announcement came after repeated refusal by the new government to fulfil its promise of making the president’s assets public within its first 100 days in office.
Initially, the presidency had told Nigerians that Mr. Buhari was awaiting verification of the declared assets by the Code of Conduct Bureau before going public.

A week away from the government’s 100th day in office, amid mounting criticism, the presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress denied Mr. Buhari made any promise within his first 100 days in office. That claim was proven by PREMIUM TIMES to be untrue

When the presidency finally released some details of the assets, it assured Nigerians that full disclosure contained in the filed documents would be made public immediately after verification by the CCB.
“As soon as the CCB is through with the process, the documents will be released to the Nigerian public and people can see for themselves,” the statement by Mr. Shehu had said.

But a statement by the Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday shows the president reneged on that promise.

The statement, issued in response to a news report that verification of assets and liabilities declared by Messrs. Buhari, Osinbajo, President of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other top government officials, including Speaker Yakubu Dogara, had not been completed, CCB said it had concluded the process of verifying the declarations of the mentioned officials.

“The bureau wishes to inform the general public that it has since concluded the verification of assets declared by those mentioned in the said publication,” CCB said in a statement by its Head, Press and Protocol, Mohammed Idris.

While the statement did not disclose when the verification was concluded, it said the process was “since concluded”.

The statement also disclosed that there were still some government officials who were yet to comply with the law by declaring their assets and liabilities.

It however said the rate of compliance by public officers had increased since Mr. Buhari assumed office.

The bureau appealed to defaulting public officers to comply with the law by declaring their assets and liabilities to the bureau.

“The bureau will like to use this medium to appeal to those who are yet to declare their assets to visit the Asokoro, Head Office of No 23, Halle Salasi Street Asokoro, Abuja to collect, fill and submit same to the office,” said the statement.
“It could be observed that since the inception of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, the rate of compliance by public officials in responding to assets declaration has greatly increased,” said the statement.
Apparently referring to Mr. Saraki who is facing corruption trial at the Code of Conduct, CCB added that, “Therefore, the said publication is another trick to misinform the public so as to undermine the ongoing trials of cases of false declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal”.
The presidency did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Mr. Buhari’s spokespersons, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, did not respond to calls and text messages to their phones.

—FINALLY, the corrected version of the 2016 budget was, yesterday, handed over to the Presidency through the Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters Senate (Senator), Ita Enang. File photo: Buhari during the 2016 budget presentation to the National Assembly. The final conclusion and onward transmission of the corrected version of the budget, which had suffered delay, was disclosed by the Deputy Chairman of House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Jonathan Gaza, while briefing journalists at the assembly complex. Though Gaza did not give details on how and when the budget was transmitted to the Presidency, sources close to the Presidency confirmed that it was Senator Ita Enang who collected the budget from the 10-man committee of the National Assembly, headed by the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Yusuf Lasun. Recall that earlier in the day, it was scheduled that the deputy speaker would hand over the corrected version of the budget in the presence of journalists, but the plan was later cancelled and was submitted quietly. While fielding questions from journalists on the position of the budget, Gaza said: “It is the same media that has kept the whole country abreast. Don’t forget that we are equally Nigerians and it is our desire for the country to move forward. “A committee was set up, which was in the papers and was headed by the deputy speaker. Members from the Senate as well as the executive arm looked at the budget and I believe the resolutions have been transmitted or rather the resolutions have been submitted to the President. “I am quite optimistic and I enjoin all other Nigerians, including yourselves, to be as optimistic as me that in the very near future, this budget will be signed into law.” On when the budget was submitted and whether it was an amendment that was submitted, the House Deputy spokesman said: “Well, I honestly believe that we have to be quite careful with our choice of words. “Over time, there have been differences and both arms of government had sat down to look at what those issues are. Most importantly, what we want is to see our country and our economy moving forward.”

THE ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR IS A POLITICAL VENDETTA.

In his previous article ‘FIGHTING CORRUPTION: A WAR FOR ALL’ this writer tried to corroborate Stephen D. Morris’ definition of corruption. In his essay ‘Forms of Corruption’ the social scientist simply defines corruption as the illegitimate use of public power to benefit a private interest. Attempt was also made by this writer to trace the origin of corruption to pre-human existence, when its characteristics were found in one of the arch-angels of God. That fallen angel called Lucifer, now popularly known as Satan, was described thus: “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee” - Ezekiel 28:17. Corruption is mentioned in about 80 verses of the Christians’ Holy Book. Other religious scriptures may have also touched corruption in their verses. The significant of corruption is that it is practiced by creatures who find themselves in some form of power; Lucifer was in a position of power by his brightness. This significance confirms the truism in Lord John Dahlberg Acton’s dictum: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”

Today in all nations of the earth, all creatures in power are deluged with different forms of corruption. The difference in the volume of global corruption is that the developed nations have put mechanisms in place to control this economic virus, while developing and undeveloped nations are yet to successfully implement such mechanisms.

An addendum to the definition and origin of corruption is that it is very prominent in families, especially polygynous types. Some institutions in developed nations, such as the armed forces and security agencies apply a form of corruption for strategic gains. Poring into polygynous families in our part of the global village will unveil forms of corruption in the maneuverings between the wives and their husband; between the children and their father; and even between the children themselves. Briberies to extract vital information so as to cause accusations and discredit one and the other, are the orders of the day in such families. From homes, corruption creeps into the communities, where some elders are bribed to give favourable but false verdicts over matters affecting warring members of the community. Nollywood movies have depicted this fact in most of its scripts. The art of corrupt practices can therefore be said to emanate from the home and is not just an alien emigrated from nowhere by the past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. This cankerworm has been with us all the time and its dimensions are only upgraded from decade to decade. There is no denying that corruption had gradually become the mores of the Nigerian society.

In just few months of our President assuming office an aspect of corruption is already observed in the “public” declaration of his assets. It is circulated in quarters that the president’s declaration sheet is doctored. President Buhari declared last December, 2014 that he had only N1 million in his account, Nigerians now wondered how the money suddenly rose to N30 million by May 29, 2015 after an expensive campaign. And this does not include assets in his wife’s name. There were reactions from Nigerians, many describing the public assets declaration by the President as insincere and hoodwinking. In the Guardian publication of September 9, 2015, an elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai stressed that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua declared his own assets together with those of his wife, but that President Buhari has not done so. Another lawyer, Olukayode Ajulo, who is the Founder/Chairman, Egalitarian Mission, Africa and National Secretary, Labour Party (LP), alleged that the asset declaration by Buhari and Osinbajo as presented by Garba Shehu, is apparently fraudulent not only to hoodwink Nigerians but to further use same to cover serial violations of their covenant with Nigerians. According to him, “asset declaration must be done in prescribed form with particulars to ensure clarity and certainty, what was declared is vague, in bad faith and totally unacceptable. Particulars and full description of the asset has to be given for proper identification and verification. It is also incomplete as the spouses of the two politicians did not declare theirs with their husbands; it is the law that where any spouse of the declarant is not a civil servant/public servant such spouse should make the declaration with the better half.”

On his part, Balarabe Musa, a one time governor of Kaduna State said that it was clear from the assets listed that the President is a multi-billionaire, who also wields enormous power and influence and cannot therefore be seen as a peasant committed to the well being of the less privileged. He doubted what Buhari presented to the public, saying that it was at variance with the low profile and ‘poor man’ posture the president had wanted to foist on Nigerians. He added: “Before the last election, Buhari had given us the erroneous impression that he was a poor man, requiring bank loans to buy nomination form and run his campaigns but now he has shown that he has cash of N30 million, huge investments in companies and banks and farm assets.”


President Muhammadu Buhari may not have disclosed all his assets and investments in the Asset Declaration document he submitted to the Code of Conducts Bureau, CCB.

ADVOCATE NIGERIA, on Sunday, came across a document from the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, which indicated that President Buhari has a huge share in Panalpina World Transport (Nigeria) Limited, which he did not disclose in the list of his assets made public by his media aides last week. The document obtained by our correspondent which was a Certified True Copy from the CAC, indicated that President Buhari has shares in Panalpina World Transport (Nigeria) Limited, a multinational company.

According to the document, President Buhari bought 90,000 shares in Panalpina World Transport (Nigerian) limited on 1st August 1995 but this share was not included in his asset declaration document. The subscribers of the share were “(1) Buhari (Major General) Mohammadu – 90,000; address 7 Aliu Garaki Rd Kaduna. (2) Babangida (Gen. rtd) Ibrahim – 15,000; (3) Williams (Prof) Olufemi – 15,000; (4) Gana (The Estate) Baba – 15,000” among others.

And when confronted by the media, the President only had this to say: “I have declared my assets four times. When I was governor in 1975, I declared. After being Minister of Petroleum and as a member of Supreme Military Council, I declared. When I was Head of State and now as a President, I have also declared” The question was not how many times he had declared his assets but why the omission of the 90,000 shares in Panalpina World Transport (Nigerian) limited? Gullible Nigerians once more allowed that omission swept under the carpet and the media keeps its pen dry and its lips sealed over it. Misleading information presented by a public office holder, especially the #1 citizen of a nation is the worst corrupt practice and attracts impeachment in civilized nations. And this action is least expected by a man honoured as “Mr. Integrity”

So, all the hues and cries about President Buhari’s anti-corruption war are shaping up as a political vendetta. Just as it happened in his military dictatorship when some were ruthlessly dealt with and some handled with kids-gloves, Nigerians are already seeing his much publicized efforts, as selective. The premise of the whole exercise is fraught with so much lacks and the following are to mention but a few:

LACK OF OBJECTIVITIES AND SMACKS OF COVER-UP
The anti-corruption war smacks of cover-up the moment the Buhari-led Federal Government announced that the war would not go beyond the last administration of Former President Goodluck Jonathan. Followers of political trends in Nigeria saw immediately that the administration of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was protected and all corrupt atrocities allegedly committed by that administration are abysmally covered up. The reasons for this cover-up are not far-fetched. It is obvious that the cover-up is a case of “scratch my back and I will scratch yours” Nigerians cannot rule out 3 main connections that were responsible for the cover-up. They are: that Gen Obasanjo (Rtd) was the head of state when $2.8 million oil money got missing under the watch of the incumbent President between 1976-1979 and nothing was done; that the reports of the PTF misappropriated billions of Naira under the executive chairmanship of Gen Buhari (Rtd), was swept under the carpet by Former President Obasanjo; and that the incumbent President enjoyed huge support from Former President Obasanjo during the last electioneering campaign. So, like they say the flies cannot found the shit guilty. In the power sector alone the following fraudulent releases of funds by that Obasanjo administration were recently reported: In 1999, N11,205,842,051 was appropriated, but N6,697,964,119 was released; in 2000, N59,064,381,817 was appropriated, N49,784,641,521 was released; in 2001, N103, 397,000,000 was appropriated, with NN70,927,000,000 released; in 2002, N54,647,252,061 was appropriated, N41,196,117,172 was released; in 2003, N55,583,099,000 was appropriated and N5,207,500,000 was released; in 2004, N54,647, 252,061 was appropriated, N54, 647,252,061 released; in 2005, N90,282,833,404 was appropriated, N71,888,606,274 was released; in 2006, N74,308,240, 085 was appropriated, N74. 3 billion released (Source: Vanguard of 13 September, 2015).

From the above reports Nigerians can see that billions were misappropriated every year between 1999 and 2006. And when Mr. President decided to extend the war beyond the immediate past administration, he stopped at the Late Yar’Adua half-term administration. Out of the 16 years alleged looting of the treasury, the man who had a larger chunk was spared and his two successors were the branded. If this singular act is not impunity yours sincerely wonders what it is. Besides the central administration there are wide-spread allegations against corrupt governors all over the country and across political divide, but only two governors have been confronted. The allegations against other governors, particularly those of the same political affiliation as Mr. President are deliberately ignored. Some of them include:



Former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola

According to Premium Times publication of Monday, September, 2015 captioned ‘Nigerian anti-corruption activists drag Fashola to EFCC over N78 million website scandal’ the online tabloid reports: “The Civil Society Network Against Corruption, a coalition of anti-corruption organizations in Nigeria, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over the “questionable expenditures” of the administration of Babatunde Fashola, the immediate past governor of Lagos State.

In a petition dated August 10 and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, the group called for the probe of the controversial N78 million spent on the personal website of Mr. Fashola. There was outrage last weekend after analytic firm, BudgIT, revealed that Mr. Fashola approved, before he left office, N78.3 million from the state’s treasury for an upgrade of his personal website. The contract for the refurbishment of the website was awarded to Info Access Plus Limited by the office of the Chief of Staff to the former governor. The company, however, denied receiving the amount, insisting that it was paid N10 million.

The reports also included some other ‘questionable expenditures’ such as N1.2 billion spent on the construction of pedestrian bridges along Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe expressway “which did not specify the number of bridges.”; the N17 million awarded for the provision of wall signage in three magistrate courts; the N3.46 billion spent for the construction of a beach resort in Ilase; and the N61 million disbursed for a Range Rover SUV and two Toyota Hilux trucks as the official vehicle of Chief Judge of State.

More ‘questionable expenditures are the N85 million for the repair and replacement of street signs; N330 million spent on the development of the residence of Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the immediate past deputy governor; and N94 million spent on printer consumables.
Some other anti-corruption organizations, the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) and the Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project (CSNAC) have petitioned EFCC against the former governor. While the CACOL privately investigated the 1.36 kilometre Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge cost N6 billion, and not the N25 billion as stated by Mr. Fashola’s administration, the CSNAC called for the investigation of details of the the US$200 million World Bank education fund during Mr. Fashola’s tenure.



The above are to mention but a few of alleged former corrupt governors who are under investigations. The allegations of some northern former governors are in the public domain; guesses are that nothing will come out of the allegations for two cardinal reasons – they are sacred cows and also they are members of the All Progressive Congress.


CORRUPTION FIGHTING CORRUPTION
Another tell-tale pin that the anti-corruption war is a political vendetta is the inability of the Commander-In-Chief to institute transparent anti-corruption operatives to execute the war. Again in a transparent clime where war against corruption is judiciously executed, the heads of the trio of anti-grafts agencies, viz: the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should have been redeployed and the agencies overhauled to chart new direction that are not only seen as unbiased but are truly impartial. This is necessitated by the fact that instead of corrupt practices abating under the incumbent heads of these anti-graft agencies, they had been ironically allowed to swell. The blind can see that these men have been compromised so much that they have outlived their effectiveness. And to the chagrin of the nation, these men are heavily enmeshed in a web of corrupt practices. Nigerians and yours sincerely are aware of the following allegations against the chairmen of the trio:
Sam Saba, CCB Chairman

A petition from M L Ibrahim & Co Chambers in Kano, against Sam Saba, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau, dated May 7, 2015, was sent to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The particulars of the petition, which was primarily the alleged diversion of over N100million by the Chairman, was signed by Lawan Yaro Mohammed.
Besides the diversion allegation, the Chairman is known to art arbitrarily in official matters that require consultations with his Commissioners. Sunday Vanguard was able to establish that, as was in the case of a former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when Saba, working with some officials of Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency, arraigned Tinubu without informing his fellow Commissioners at CCB, the case against Saraki, without prejudice to its merit, was also kick-started without the full knowledge and participation of fellow Commissioners. In 2011, the Commissioner in charge of the South-West Zone, as was published at that time, did not even know Tinubu would be arraigned.

Therefore, yesterday, Sunday Vanguard got in touch with the Commissioner in charge of North-Central Zone, Dr. Christie Ekoja. Asked if she carried out the verification of the assets declaration of Saraki and if the CCB invited the beleaguered senator for clarification, she politely responded by saying “no comment”. The question is, why would the head of an anti-corruption body, enmeshed in allegations of corruption, being the one to set another for arraignment before a court?

Danladi Umar, CCT Chairman Danladi Yakubu Umar, the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT is also caught in the web of corruption. Information available to Sunday Vanguard suggests that, sometime last year, a retired Comptroller of Customs, Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, who was standing trial before Umar, allegedly negotiated a deal either with Umar or somebody in his office. N10million was the amount said to have been agreed to. Taiwo, playing along, allegedly paid N1.8million into the account of the PA to Umar. The case is still under investigation of the EFCC, which its Chairman is in the same web. How can any meaningful investigation be conducted by the corrupt against a corrupt counterpart? Nigeria is in deep trouble and they are persecuting Saraki pure malice and wickedness born from envy.

A petition is presently in the Nigerian Senate of a staggering amount alleged to have been pilfered by the Ibrahim Lamorde. A hearing session of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, which was held on Wednesday, August 26, revealed shocking details about how the commission may have milked the country of N2.051trillion from seized properties and funds of individuals under investigation. The petitioner, George Uboh, made series of allegations backed with facts and figures.

He revealed that, "In a December 02, 2011 letter EFCC sent to the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes, EFCC stated that the aggregate recoveries from 2004 to 2011 (8 financial years) was N1,326,754,554,482:80. EFCC did not mention where the N1.3 Trillion recovered was remitted to. EFCC’s claim that it did not recover up to a Trillion is complete false."

They should just leave Saraki alone at least he is cleaning the system through legislation . All accusations levelled against him cannot be substantiated even Societe General he was a director with many others . See these men above they are the culprits



Save Us O God!

The Code of Conduct Bureau on Wednesday said it‎ had completed the verification of the assets declared by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo; the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and other top government officials in the current dispensation.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the bureau’s Head, Press and Protocol Unit, Mohammed Idris, said any report claiming that the assets of ‎these leaders of the country were yet to be verified was false.

He therefore faulted ‎ a newspaper publication in which it was claimed that the verification of the assets of Buhari and other government officials by the CBB was still ongoing.



Idris, an assistant director in the bureau, said the newspaper publication was a trick targeted at undermining ongoing trials before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The statement, titled ‘Re: CCB still verifying Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki’s, others’assets,’ added that under President Buhari’s administration, the CCB had been recording increased level of compliance to asset declaration by public officials.

The statement reads in part, “The bureau wishes to inform the general public that it has since concluded the verification of assets declared by those mentioned in the said publication.

“Therefore, the said publication is another trick to misinform the public so as to undermine the ongoing trials of cases of false declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

“It could be observed that since the inception of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, the rate of compliance by public officials in responding to assets declaration has greatly increased.

“The bureau will like to use this medium to appeal to those who are yet to declare their assets to visit the Asokoro, Head Office of No 23, Halle Salasi Street Asokoro, Abuja to collect, fill and submit same to the office.”

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.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

Potter Stewart, a renowned Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, who played a significant role in the interpretation of Civil Rights laws, coined the basic phrase: “Fairness is what Justice really is.” This phrase, conceived to propel the notion of every individual’s equitable right under the law, demonstrates that an unbiased legal system is a necessary component for justice to be dispensed.

As things stand, the case of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has proven to be full of contradictions and inequity. ‘Contradictions’ because since the case was in its preliminary stages, there has been a mismatch between the facts being propelled by the prosecution, the methods being employed by the tribunal, and the charges that have been brought against the Senate President.

Since the case was brought to light in late 2015, few weeks after Dr. Saraki’s emergence as President of the Senate, members of the Nigerian public have come to understand that the charges against Saraki and the testimony of the chief witness have not been in sync.

Additionally, Nigerians have started to also understand that certain legal precedents have not been followed by the tribunal. For example, based on the non-adherence to Section 3, paragraph D of the act that established the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Tribunal, the Senate President ought to be given an opportunity to respond to the charges brought against him.

One noteworthy instance that comes to mind is that in 2007, the CCT dismissed the charges against former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, based on the non-adherence to the precedent clause. Another occasion, in 2011, the same CCT quashed the case against Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the same ground. However, in what has been described by many legal practitioners as an abuse of judicial precedent, the same judicial body, with the same Chairman that delivered the Tinubu judgment, went back on the legal precedent that it had set on several occasions, and threw out the proviso which created a condition precedent clause before the law can be applied against Saraki case.

What was even more disturbing was the self-indictment by Dan Ladi Umar in the case, as he casually revealed that Tinubu’s ruling was simply “made in error.” This outright reversal stirs up questions regarding if Umar was under duress when he delivered his judgment; if the tribunal understands the legal implications of their actions; and if the same 1999 Constitution and Code of Conduct Bureau acts were not the documents used in the cases of Atiku and Tinubu.

Furthermore, the contributions of the prosecution’s Chief Witness, Michael Wetkas, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has poked further holes in the prosecution’s case.

Some clear examples are Wetkas admitting that neither he nor his team investigated three crucial exhibits (11, 12, and 13) tendered as evidence against the Senate President. Another example is the witness mentioning that it was the EFCC that investigated Saraki, as opposed to agents from the CCB. In essence, the case before the CCT now is money laundering, instead of false Asset Declaration which it is created to handle.

These inconsistencies lend credence to what the Senate President and his team have been saying for a while: “This case is not about prosecuting alleged corruption, but about some powerful individuals settling political scores, using their control of the judiciary.”

Finally, in another ruling by the Chairman of the CCT that demonstrates his bias in the Saraki situation, Mr. Danladi Umar mandated the trial of the Senate President to proceed on a day-to-day basis – citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), despite the fact that he has adjourned other cases – that are also under the purview of the ACJA.

This situation came to a head on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, when the Counsel for the former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, argued that because the trial had earlier been moved from April 14 to 20 for continuation, their case should be heard before Saraki’s case which was adjourned just a day before. However, Justice Umar insisted that the Senate President’s case must continue, and stood down Orubebe’s case – leaving many to question if in fact there is a timeline (as some have speculated) to convict Saraki, by hook or by crook before a certain date.

As the head of the Senate President’s New Media team, based on all these observations, it has become not only necessary, but mandatory to let the Nigerian public know that as things stand, the case against my principal, the Senate President, is concocted on shaky evidence as the outcome of the on-going cross-examination has indicated. As the prosecution is attempting to make this a media trial, I enjoin Nigerians to urge the CCT to make this a trial that is based on the substance and the spirit of the law. Doing this, would ensure that the process is free and fair, so that at the end of the day, we can all be able to claim that justice was in fact done.

Bamikole Omishore is the Special Assistant on New Media to President of the Senate



I was reminiscing on a quesI was reminiscing on a question I was asked some few months ago, and this particular article peeped out of the window of that question. After delivering a talk in a place, an elderly man walked towards me, looking me right in the eye, he asked; “Son, what’s your place in history?” At that instant I didn’t know what exactly to say to him because I had never really thought about what my place was. But I simply told him; I want to play my part well, because I don’t want to be forgotten.

Today in our world, a lot of people are doing a lot of things; people wanting to survive, people wanting to succeed, and people wanting to build their own dream. Matter of fact, there are people surviving, people succeeding, and people building their own dream. Time is progressing. Often times, our collective dream is moving forward imperfectly. At other times, looking on our busy streets, I see us moving around chaotically. The test is whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them.

We often talk about great men, we talk about men who found their place in history, we talk about men who stood out, and functioned effectively in their own capacity, and by their actions and deeds, they were able to put themselves in history, and they embossed their name on the hearts of men. We talk about the intellectual giant Sir Isaac Newton, whose record of achievement stands out like a light house in the dark. Nelson Mandela is a legend who will be remembered for years and decades to come, even by generations yet to be born. We talk about Martin Luther King Jr., we talk about Obafemi Awolowo, William Shakespeare, Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Today, everyone is talking about Barrack Obama, he is a guy who has redefined hope and has brought it to real life by becoming the first African American president of the United States. We’ve talked so much about them; I think it’s time we become like them. We need to have the spirit, the zeal, and the commitment they had to what they believed in. We need to find out and operate in our own strength and uniqueness, with a renewed sense of purpose and willpower, and we need to stick to it all the way.

A lot of people have come and gone, a whole lot more of us are still around, and that means you still have the opportunity to do something worthwhile and leave your imprints on the sands of time. You have gas streaming in and out of your nostrils; you have your mind functioning appropriately, what I’m saying is; you still have God’s gift of life. What are you going to do with it? Somebody died last night gasping for breath, but here you are, God woke you up this morning, started you out on your way. You are alive not to count the moments that make up your life, but rather to make your moments count. Every day when I wake up, and I find out that I’m still breathing; I see it as an opportunity to go farther.

I mentioned earlier that I don’t want to be forgotten. A more important question I asked afterwards was; what will I be remembered for? This is the question we all need to ask ourselves. For some folks, it might be scary. For some others, it might be the beginning of self discovery, and the pathway to personal freedom. But either this way or that way, today you have a chance to decide what your place will be in history. This question of our place in history must be answered, not for us, but BY us.

A representative of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Senator Joseph Waku, who represented Benue North Senatorial district from 1999 to 2003, today decried the way and manner that the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) case against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has been handled.


Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the CCT, Waku said that he was mandated by the Arewa Consultative Forum to observe the proceedings, and report back to the Forum.


He said:


“I have been watching you guys in the television and reading you in the newspapers, and I was mandated by the Arewa Consultative Forum to come here as an observer and watch the procedures and go back to report what I have found.


“My observations are that there is a premeditated something that is going on in this country. The judiciary is on trial, the country is on trial, the Justices are on trial and we are watching to see, because similar cases have gone on before and we know how they ended.


“So, my observations here today are those things that I have witnessed and I have to go back to the mother organizations to report my findings, my witnesses, what I have seen and the way I have looked at it.


“I think that Nigeria is again moving through a trying period of Judicial process and I make bold to advise that the prosecution witness do not have prerogative of knowledge but from the look of things, there is already tele-guided judgement that one expect to see in future and that may not be good for this country.

“It will not be good for Judicial process, it is not going to be good for democracy and it will not be in the best interest of the 'Change' that we are looking for.


“In as much as we are against corruption, let the legal process take its due cognisance that it is the last hope of the ordinary and common persons. That is my observation.”

#CCTvsSaraki: Counsel to FG Becomes Counsel to CCT Chairman Over Motion on his Corruption Case


As the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, continues at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the lead counsel Rotimi Jacobs has assumed a new role as counsel to the CCT boss Danladi Umar.


While entertaining a motion filed by one of Saraki’s Counsel’s, Ajibola Oluyede requesting that he withdraws from presiding over the CCT because of pending bribery charges against him.


Oluyede stated emphatically that Dan Ladi Umar’s relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as a suspect in a N10million bribery investigation, made him unfit to preside over a case being investigated by the EFCC .


Counsel to ‎the Federal Government and persecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs immediately assumed the role of a counsel to Umar and argued for him intercepting Oluyede.


‎" Your lordship hasn't been charged to any court; not convicted by any court. You're not under any trial. Investigation is a mere investigation the defendant here is still performing his duty as a senator. Today he's the senate president and he's now saying someone who hasn't been charged not to perform his duty".


"Mr Oluyede has never appeared before this court as at the time he filled his motion case is between CCT and Bukola Saraki and EFCC isn't involved at all‎ the defender is harassing the tribunal‎". Rotimi yelled


He raised up various more points in defence‎ of Umar as opposed to his core duty as the persecuting counsel in the case filed against Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau .


Recall that last week Umar had set the precedence by assuming the role of the per‎secuting judge, the witness and the presiding Judge.

#CCTvsSaraki: Counsel to FG Becomes Counsel to CCT Chairman Over Motion on his Corruption Case


As the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, continues at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the lead counsel Rotimi Jacobs has assumed a new role as counsel to the CCT boss Danladi Umar.


While entertaining a motion filed by one of Saraki’s Counsel’s, Ajibola Oluyede requesting that he withdraws from presiding over the CCT because of pending bribery charges against him.


Oluyede stated emphatically that Dan Ladi Umar’s relationship with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as a suspect in a N10million bribery investigation, made him unfit to preside over a case being investigated by the EFCC .


Counsel to ‎the Federal Government and persecuting counsel Rotimi Jacobs immediately assumed the role of a counsel to Umar and argued for him intercepting Oluyede.


‎" Your lordship hasn't been charged to any court; not convicted by any court. You're not under any trial. Investigation is a mere investigation the defendant here is still performing his duty as a senator. Today he's the senate president and he's now saying someone who hasn't been charged not to perform his duty".


"Mr Oluyede has never appeared before this court as at the time he filled his motion case is between CCT and Bukola Saraki and EFCC isn't involved at all‎ the defender is harassing the tribunal‎". Rotimi yelled


He raised up various more points in defence‎ of Umar as opposed to his core duty as the persecuting counsel in the case filed against Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau .


Recall that last week Umar had set the precedence by assuming the role of the per‎secuting judge, the witness and the presiding Judge.

CCT Trial: ‘Saraki is persecuted, not prosecuted’ ON APRIL 27, 201612:33 PMIN NEWSCOMMENTS 29 0 1 0 The calls for resignation of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was on Wednesday, dismissed by Nigerians in Diaspora Group for Rule of Law, saying the issues are being deliberately confused to achieve the vindictive goals of some highly placed individuals. Reacting to the several calls for Saraki’s resignation, including that from another United Kingdom based group, the Nigerians in Diaspora Group for Rule of Law, said facts in the public domain clearly prove that the Senate President is the victim of persecution that is being made to look like prosecution for alleged corruption offences. Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki during his ongoing trail on false asset declaration at the code of conduct Tribunal in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan A statement issued by Collins Achaluda esq on the behalf of the umbrella body of Nigerians in the UK, United States, Asia and other parts of Europe, urged Nigerians to demand prosecution of public officers that are being accused of corruption as opposed to their being persecuted. The statement read: “The supposed trial of Senator Dr 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. 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. “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 mention 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. “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.” It asserted that Saraki would not have been dragged before the CCT if he had not dared to challenge the establishment’s attempt to impose another candidate as President of the Senate. The statement added: “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. “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. “The suspect 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? “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 further 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.” 29 0 1 0

CCT Boss Entertains Hearing of Application to Recuse Himself from Saraki’s Case Based on Fraud Allegations


As the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, continues at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), the Chairman of the CCT has entertained the hearing of the motion to recuse himself filed by one of Saraki’s Counsel’s, Ajibola Oluyede.


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.


Many will also recall that the charges against the Senate President were filed in the days following the Senate’s investigation of the EFCC for diverting recovered public funds.


In an investigation report by the EFCC dated 24th June 2014, the CCT boss and his erstwhile Personal Assistant, Gambo Abdullahi, are listed as suspects. Paragraph 2 of the report, states that “Justice Umar made direct demand for the sum of N10 million to quash the charges against [the complainant], sometime in 2012. He disclosed that he was compelled to pay the sum of N1.8milion after persistent inundation with phone calls from Justice Umar.”


Oluyede also cited paragraph 4 of the report, that stated that “Available circumstantial evidence suggest that the Tribunal Chairman might have indeed demanded and collected money from the complainant through his Personal Assistant

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.
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

The small things that spell big failures, by Okey Ndibe
A trial by hook or crook, by Olalekan Alabi
Nigeria and the reintegration of Boko Haram, by Uchenna Isiani

My dear brother Dele, let me thank you most sincerely for your article last weekend, “My Candid Letter to Saraki.” I take everything you said in that article to heart and I must commend you for your candidness indeed and the sincerity of your intentions.

As you said in your article, you are someone I have known more by reputation than by any personal relationship, until recently when we struck up some personal acquaintance based on our shared political interests, especially during the last presidential election. However, I understand why you had to sound so defensive for knowing me at all and had to publicly map the boundaries of our relationship. We have got to that point in our country when we no longer believe that anyone could stand for anything based on principles and convictions alone. Moreover, in the growing culture of media crucifixion and presumed guilt; it is rare to find a voice like yours that calls for fairness and justice.

I would have simply sent you a text message or call you up for your candid advice to me, which I take seriously. But I feel the need to make some clarifications on some of the issues you raised. One of them was that in seeking to be Senate President, I struck a deal with the PDP and made it possible for one of them to be the Deputy Senate President. I know this is the dominant narrative out there, but it is far from the truth.
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.



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. 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? I believe those that made it possible for PDP to claim the DSP position were those who decided to hold a meeting with APC senators elsewhere at the time they ought to be in the chambers. What the PDP Senators did was to take advantage of their numerical strength at the material time. They simply lined up behind Senator Ike Ekweremadu while those of us from APC voted for Senator Ali Ndume.

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.
Secondly, I don’t know if you were aware that in the build up to Senate inauguration, the National Working Committee of the APC sent two signals. The first signal specified how leadership positions in the National Assembly have been zoned. While we were trying to give effect to this decision, the second signal came, which contained names of people to which these zoned position had been allocated. What was not acknowledged was that 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.

My dear brother, most people talk about the Senate Presidency position, but this was not my only offence. I have also been accused of helping to frustrate some people’s opportunity to emerge as President Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate. But 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. Perhaps, more than ever before, Nigerians are more sensitive to issues of religious balancing. This, my brother, was my original sin. 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. For me however, I have no regrets about this. I only stood for what I believed was in the best interest of the party and in the best interest of Nigeria.

Now to the substantive issue of my trial. As you rightly noted, this trial is not about corruption. And I am happy that since my trial started, people who have followed the proceedings have now understood better what the whole thing is about. I have had opportunity to declare my assets four times since 2003. Over those years, the Code of Conduct Bureau had examined my claims. There was no time that they raised any issues with me on any item contained in my declarations over those twelve years. This is why 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.

Like you, I have an abiding faith in the judiciary. May God forbid the day that we would give up on our judicial system. However, 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!

Some people have wondered, why has Saraki been “jumping” from one court to another instead of facing his trial? To those people, I would say that I have only gone to those courts in search of justice. Strange things have happened, and they are still happening. For example, Section 3(d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act states that the Bureau shall refer any breach or non-compliance to the Tribunal. However, where the person concerned makes a written admission of the breach, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary. 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. I should expect that everyone would be worried if justice is applied differently to different people. However, in spite of my fears, I remain hopeful. Why? Because the judiciary does not end with this Tribunal.

Do you know the genesis of my real problems with President Goodluck Jonathan? I have had a touchy relationship with him, but the turning point was in September 2011 when I moved a motion on the floor of the Senate that exposed the N2.3 trillion fuel subsidy racket. 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. I have no doubt that if the Jonathan government was able to find anything against me, they would not have allowed me to go unpunished.

Let me make this point clearly. 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. The New PDP may not have given APC victory in 2015, but it was an important factor in the dynamics that produced that victory. And with all sense of modesty, I was an important factor in the formation of New PDP; in leading that group to the APC; in ensuring our group’s support for the candidate during the primaries and in mobilizing substantial resources for the election. For these, 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!

Some people have complained that I have been taking Senators with me to my trial. But I did not force them to follow me. 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. The same principle that produced Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President and produced Ali Ndume as Majority Leader. They see all of us in the Senate leadership as manifestation of their jealously guarded right to freely choose their own leaders. Because they know they made us their leaders without any external interference; they are confident that they retain the power to remove us whenever they so wish. 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 never about me. 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.

My dear brother, let me end by observing that I am not alone in this trial. On trial with me in this process is the entire judicial system. On trial with me are 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. And I dare say, on trial with me is our media; and their ethical commitment to report fairly and objectively. In the end, it is my earnest hope that whatever we do will ultimately ennoble our country.

– Dr. Saraki is President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria

See video link of CCT Chairman furious because Defense raised his criminal case with EFCC He obviously has no right to try this case of persecution. All other cases have been suspended from the CCT orders from his instigators obviously.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDxfnH489O0

The prosecution against the Senate president in the ongoing trial on false declaration of assets have added two new fresh charges in its charge sheet. The new charges were added as it evident that the case is not going to the prosecutors plan

EFCC WITNESS AGAINST SARAKI AGAIN ADMITS TO ERRORS IN INVESTIGATION

-States that Senate President was only investigated by EFCC and not By CCB as required by law.


Prosecution Witness 1, in the Code of Conduct Tribunal’s (CCT) trial against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today admitted that Dr. Saraki was not interrogated by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), in-line with the procedures established by the laws that institute the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal.


Answering questions on cross-examination by Saraki’s counsel,Paul Usoro (SAN), Michael Wetkas, the first witness, who is also an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, maintained that the Senate President was never given an opportunity to confirm nor deny the allegations against him by the CCB, because it was the EFCC that had conducted the investigations relating to the claims, not the CCB.


This revelation, raises new contentions, as the precedent clause in Section 3D of the of the CCT Act, clearly states that all cases at the CCT are dependent on the fact that “the person concerned makes a written admission of such breach or noncompliance, no reference to the Tribunal shall be necessary.”


Many will recall that the Senate President stated at the commencement of the CCT proceedings that his fundamental rights based on the precedent clause of the CCT Act were abused.


In 2011, former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had his case dismissed, as the tribunal had also failed to allow him to confirm or deny the allegations brought against him by the CCB.


However, when Saraki’s lawyers filed a similar motion, Justice Umar, who gave the ruling in Tinubu’s case, stated that he had made the ruling in Tinubu’s case in error.


Meanwhile, the CCT boss has also ordered that all other cases at the CCT be stood down till further notice, as Saraki’s trial must proceed day to day until the end of the proceedings.


This ruling has raised eyebrows, as the tribunal currently has other cases to adjudicate, making many observers to ask if there is truly a timeline - as some say - to convict the Senate President using the CCT.


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.