ADVERTISEMENT

Dear Saraki, it’s time to stop running

The charges against Saraki were made public in September 2015 and since then, the Senate President has been running from pillar to post to avoid a trial.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The charges against Saraki were made public in September 2015 and since then, the Senate President has been running from pillar to post to avoid a trial.

Saraki first of all refused to appear at the tribunal on two separate trial dates, September 18 and 21, despite the issuance of an order for his arrest.

In explaining his absence, the Senate President said via Twitter:

ADVERTISEMENT

“My absence from the Tribunal today, was based on counsel received that the tribunal will respect the decision of the Federal High Court.”

“CCT Chairman & members who only take official oath and not judicial oath are expected to respect the decision of the superior court,” he added.

He however didn’t offer any explanation for his absence on the second date.

Saraki subsequently approached the Federal High Courts in Abuja and Lagos in a bid to stop his trial but both attempts failed.

He went further to the Court of Appeal but on Friday, October 30, 2015,that court also dismissed his application to have the trial stopped.

ADVERTISEMENT

Saraki then proceeded to the Supreme Court with his plea but even the apex court ruled on February 5, 2016, that the Senate President’s trial must continue.

The Senate President has repeatedly said that his trial is a form of political persecution launched on him by powerful people who are unhappy that he occupies the top legislative position.

“Meanwhile, I wish to reiterate my remarks before the Tribunal, that I have no iota of doubt that I am on trial today because I am the president of the Nigerian Senate, against the wishes of some powerful individuals outside this Chambers,” he said on September 29, 2015.

“The charges have nothing to do with corruption or money being stolen anywhere and that is why at the end of the day, I will have my day in court. Because it is not about corruption,” he said on February 26, 2016.

“I don’t understand how the same organisation that cleared my asset declaration to be proper in 2004, 2009 and 2011 can suddenly wake up and say that my record is faulted,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Saraki also said, via a statement released by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola on March 11, 2016, that he was never given a chance to explain himself.

“Given that for 13 years, all the documents from the senate president’s asset declarations from 2003, 2007 and 2011 were accessible by the Bureau for investigation. Saraki’s application states that the condition precedence should have been drawn to it, to give the senate president the opportunity to explain and address any identified issues,” the statement read.

“In this regard, as the trial begins, Nigerians should note that this outright non-observance of the rule of law, reaffirms the belief that this trial is borne from political mischief and malice associated with the timeliness and nature of this suit.

“As the head of Nigeria’s legislative branch, Dr. Saraki is confident that justice will ultimately prevail and he is ready, willing and prepared to submit himself to all proceedings that adhere to the strict dictates of the law. He believes that the law must take its righteous course and reassures Nigerians of his commitment to serving the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it added.

Despite Saraki’s announced willingness and preparedness to face the law however, he still went ahead to file a last-ditch suit before Justice Abdul Kafarati of the Federal High Court after the Supreme Court had already given a final ruling on the matter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Kafarati, on March 22, 2016, announced his withdrawal from the case after he was accused of corruption.

It appears that Saraki doesn’t realize that all these lofty justifications and attempts to avoid trial make him look as guilty as sin.

Saraki says he wasn’t allowed to explain himself but isn’t that what a trial is for? Why is he running helter skelter when no one has declared him guilty yet?

Also, the Senate President’s habit of arriving at the CCT with an entourage of senators and lawyers just makes him look like a guilty person desperate to cover up his tracks.

Saraki needs to stop running about and just relax. He is still innocent until proven guilty so he should submit to the courts and allow justice take its course.

ADVERTISEMENT

------------------------------------------------

See photos from Saraki's CCT trial in the gallery below:

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Renowned Canada-based Nigerian playwright, Oguntokun is dead

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Kaduna Gov grants scholarship to 137 rescued schoolchildren, son of late teacher

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

Siamese twin gets married while still conjoined with her sister

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

LP BoT kicks out Abure despite convention victory, takes over party affairs

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

6 Labour Party lawmakers defect to PDP in Enugu State

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Tinubu's special assistant donates food items to 1,700 residents in FCT

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Anambra PASAN begins strike over Soludo's failure to grant financial autonomy

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Governor Sanwo-Olu pays ₦4.48 billion to 1,455 retirees in accrued pensions

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Court discharges ex-AGF Adoke, 6 others in Malabu oil scam case

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT