Saraki’s 13 Charges As The Code Of Many Troubles
Buhari
THERE is no second-guessing the fact that the All Progressives Congress, (APC) is in a hurry to unleash the negative effects of its lack of preparedness for governance and predilection for trouble on Nigerians. Many a Nigerian may have started wondering whether they voted rightly last March. The National Assembly, which is the citadel of democracy, has become the chosen square for the ruling party to dance its macabre dance of confusion.
The latest attempt to uproot Senator Abubakar Olubukola Saraki from the pinnacle of legislative leadership might, if care is not taken, release a balloon effect on the nation’s polity. Formulating a total of 13 charges 13 years after the alleged crime of lying on assets declaration, was said to have been committed by Saraki, has a lot of imputations.
In the first place, Nigerians would like to know who discovered these infractions against the nation’s code of conduct for public officers. Next citizens would also need to be convinced that the allegations and attendant prosecution are not products of mischief. And this can only be if it is proven that the officer or officers responsible for tracking that discrepancy has/have resigned or been fired.
Then it should be seen with eyes on the constitution, whether any other officer other than the Attorney General of the Federation could file charges in court on behalf of the Code of Conduct Bureau. In an interview with The Guardian recently, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Femi Falana, said the search for special courts to try suspects of corruption is a waste of time, as the CCB is already in place to do all that. It is left to be seen whether the learned senior advocate’s opinion roused the CCB into frenzied trial of Senate President Saraki.
Then on the political score, the authorities would have a lot of explaining to do for Nigerians to believe that the 13 charges of false declaration of assets are aimed at getting at Saraki for his decision to exert his political right to vote and or be voted for the post of President of Senate despite the whims of some of his party’s chieftains.
If indeed it is true that President Buhari is not comfortable with Saraki’s occupation of the Senate Presidency’s and some overzealous officers want to get the former Kwara State Governor out of the seat at all cost, the Gestapo method could boomerang. But could the young man from a privileged home that served eight years as governor and four years as Senator, muster the strength and gravitas to fight back?
Many people think that the investigation (oversight) of the operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Malam Ibrahim Lamorde, is the Senate President’s fight against the onslaught arrayed against him through his wife. And as if the attempt to investigate Mrs. Toyin Saraki over allegations of money laundering and diversion of Kwara State government funds may not gather enough dust (mud), the sudden twist of dusting up the 13 charges against the husband seems more undeviating. That Toyin is not a public officer may introduce new complexities in the whole drama, especially for the lawyers.
Has the authorities the locus to question the source of money found in her account? If there is allegation of diversion, can it be proved beyond reasonable doubt that whatever could be found around her is proceed of the diversion? Who did the diversion? Ultimately, this may end up as a contest between her words and those of her accusers. Or would the husband be called upon to explain how his wife acquired whatever? May be that is the leading the authorities are pursuing by dusting up the 13 charges!
The Senate President has shown that he could not be easily cowed or intimidated. Dismissing the 13 charges against him in a press statement, Saraki described the “allegations as false, incorrect and untrue.” He argues that though he has not been served with the court processes, his decision to respond to the development was informed by need for public information. Putting holes on the entire charges and proceedings against him, the Senate President disclosed that he has consistently declared his assets as required by law at every point before resuming any political office, saying that that of 2015 is not an exception. He expressed surprise that the alleged charges being raised refer to his asset declaration in 2003 while in office as Governor of Kwara State
Tinubu
The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, which filed the 13 charges before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, accused Senator Bukola Saraki of false and improper assets declaration for the period he was governor of Kwara State. The AGF’s office seems to have done a great job not minding that it took 12 solid years after the man left office to discover that the properties, which Saraki claimed to have acquired include those he declared in anticipation and not declared at all. It is here that the political narratives come in.
Saraki, like five other state governors that joined the APC, were of the PDP original breed. And APC succeeded in selling PDP to Nigerians as the breeding grounds of corruption and corrupt politicians. Nigerians will no doubt be entertained by the unfolding battle. A scenario very similar to ‘if you Dabo me, I Tarka you’ may be in the offing!
APC stalwarts, especially those from the nPDP may decide to identify with Saraki and join forces to throw up other saints in the party that have mud in their behind. The party may unwittingly be applying the same tricks and methodologies it planned to use against former President Jonathan to its members.
Already there are small talks within the APC circles that the Senate Minority Leader and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has run overseas to escape the planned onslaught against the former PDP big player over the election of Saraki as President of Senate. Those who bandy such words say that if eventually Akpabio returns, he would remain silent like Deputy President of Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who is being associated with the alterations in the Senate Rule book. It was also said that having gotten the hint about the planned invasion of a section of the Akwa Ibom Government Lodge, which he still uses, the former governor simulated the road traffic accident as a decoy to escape overseas. Whether this allegation is part of the legendary APC propaganda machinery is out of the question.
Saraki
The Senate President has shown that he could not be easily cowed or intimidated. Dismissing the 13 charges against him in a press statement, Saraki described the “allegations as false, incorrect and untrue.” He argues that though he has not been served with the court processes, his decision to respond to the development was informed by need for public information.
Putting holes on the entire charges and proceedings against him, the Senate President disclosed that he has consistently declared his assets as required by law at every point before resuming any political office, saying that that of 2015 is not an exception. He expressed surprise that the alleged charges being raised refer to his asset declaration in 2003 while in office as Governor of Kwara State.
Without alluding to the possibility that the same Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) may have to wait for another 12 years before rounding off verification of President Buhari’s asset declaration, the statement said: “We believe that the Code of Conduct Bureau following their processes in which after a declaration is submitted to the bureau they carried out verification of the assets and ascertained the claims made, should not wait till 12 years later to be pointing out an alleged inconsistencies in a document submitted to it in 2003.”
Wondering why the CCB did not focus on Saraki’s recent declaration or those of 2007 and 2011, the statement said; “it is unexplainable that the case in question is now based on the 2003 declaration.”
That some people have started asking whether President Buhari declared his liabilities, including the money he borrowed from a commercial bank other than the one he said he has always maintained an account, reveals that there could be some icing on the corruption fight. Could it be that the power probe initiated by the Senate has roused former military officers to offensive against the civilian politicians? There are indications that many battalions may be mobilized in this whole drama. When that happens, it would dawn on Nigerians that the 13 charges against Saraki are but a code of many troubles.
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50 Comments
Mr. Man, Saraki left office 4 years ago, not 12 years as being propagated by you.
The offences, he allegedly committed are not statue barred. Witch hunt, so many will say, but those who live in glasses houses, should not throw stones.
It’s better late, than never, and it’s worthy of mention, that APC led Federal Govt. came into being this year.
The question, I want to ask is, Was the offence actually committed? That should be answered, and the right place to do that is CCT. Saraki should grab the opportunity with both hands, instead of hiding behind a finger.
You know why such allegations cannot be grabbed with two hands? We have no rule of law. Also the case is just that of a scapegoat. Mention one just one Governor or public officer from 1999 till date that you feel has been diligently sincere with asset declaration and one without the charges against Saraki, including ones holding leadership role in their party. Common!!!. On the rule of law what if he attended the court and never make it back to the seat he fought to hold? When they Fashola went against his godfather, we saw what happened almost immediately. Now it’s Saraki’s turn. Definitely the anti corruption war is one not diff from that of OBJ days when perceived enemies were the only corrupt officers. It baffles me that people who dine with the devil still go out asking for his head. Is Buhari himself clean of this allegation? Does his asset declaration signifies his true value? Saraki’s allegations date back as far as 13yrs ago. Why now? Is it that Mr. Body Language don’t want to submit his ministerial list to the leadership of Saraki for screening or what? This might be true giving the fact that he vowed not to recognise his leadership. What a sycophant!!
The current administration has told us that, they are going to build strong institutions, and not strong men. EFCC, ICPC, CCB, CCT etc al, have decided to live up to their billings. Scapegoat, splendid. Now nobody will be left doubt that, indeed the Anti-corruption war has started.
Saraki enjoyed immunity up till 2011, that’s 4 years ago. Let no one muddle the waters, with the age of the alleged offence. If a man commits murder, he can still be held accountable after 40 years.
My friend, lets face the substance of the matter, and stop pursuing shadows. Did Saraki commit the alleged offence? Yes or No? As the number 3 citizen, he should assemble his legal team, go to the Tribunal and clear himself. Only the guilty are afraid. There is no need, to want to stall the trial through forum shopping in the Judiciary.
This is the litmus test for PMB anti-corruption war. Nigerians are watching, and it won’t be business as usual.
It pains me a lot when mere mortals like the rest of us on this forum defend these so-called elites for no reason whatsoever. Has it not occurred to any of us that it is because of corruption like this that graduates are roaming the streets of Nigeria without jobs, that people are dying everyday, that are best brains are domiciled in abroad developing another man’s country, that our future and that of our children’s children are already mortgaged or being mortgaged? Let us drop politics, sentiments, ethnicity, religion and give this present government the opportunity to work and just maybe for once it would just be different from previous ones.
You just watch your fellow Nigerians Xjto. People are so foolish in Nigeria, thats why these so called leaders can use them as thugs politically henchmen and paid crowd / student union rioters. Its the hunger syndrome. When the people has been starved and downtrodden for so long, they lose their sense of reasoning and common gumption. Nigerians are the only set of people in the world that cannot jointly agree to hold a strike for beyond 3 days, to fight and press for their rights… its not surprising.
May be these defenders of these fraudsters are paid agents.
Let them start the probe of assets declarations from Tinubu, Amechi, Fashola and all past rulers and leaders in this Country, and whoever is not guilty ,should cast the first stone. The probe is a decoy to unsit Senator Bukola Saraki , so as to appoint another one from the back door of APC camp during the period of the current trial at the CCT, until the determination of the case ab infinitum.
You are absolutely right
Why did he , saraki elected himself also through the back door? Dont you see how he short changed his party and colleagues by getting elected as senate president mainly by the opposition pdp? Which ruling government will feel comfortable with such arrangement made by saraki? He thought he could eat his cake and have it. The same way he connived with the opposition to gain that seat, is the same game they are also playing with him now. Let him prove that he is got the fight inside of him.
Thank you booo.
I agree with you, this is the litmus test for PMB, before the test, he must face the accusations he mismanaged the PTF and OBJ said he exonerated him, why OBJ and not a court of competent jurisdiction remains a question for him to answer. I agree we need this corruption war, but PMB is the wrong candidate to lead this war. This article captured the true issue at stake, PMB has no moral right not to recorgnize and work with Saraki, he has no constitutional power to pick and choose an elected official he could work with, let be frank is this a military regime or an elected democracy?
Therefore the impunity should continue. I see no reason why the system should not scapegoat Saraki. You should encourage him to go there and defend himself that, I think it’s the right and proper thing to do
Baba Ijebu nice observation sir. I hope he goes there to defend himself. I’m not saying he’s a saint, I’m just curious of the turn everyti took suddenly when the country is warming up for ministers and oda appointee to be ratified by the Senate. Rem “Baba body language insisted he could work with anyone and later after Saraki’s election he insisted he was not goi to acknowledge his leadership; what an irony of a diligent Mr. Magic. Pls also note: Saraki along side 14 Govs of his period had their cases filed with the CCT for prosecution, but till we speak sir, non of em av been invited nor arraigned. Don’t you think this war against corruption is goi the same path with what we experience under OBJ? Where sins were hidden until the sinner steps in the toes of the powers that be. Those other 14 Govs u won’t hear about them until they go against the so called godfathers. Meanwhile, some of them are becoming godfathers already; are we ever goi to get to those ones?. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be prosecuted but the atmosphere of things shows the purpose of this politics sir; that’s just my point sir. I’m sure you will agree with me that, if not for the Senate saga we might not hear about Saraki 2003-2011 declarations evermore. The same way we heard about Fashola’s massive fraud at the countdown to ministerial slot. If we really want to fight corruption let’s fight it without any personal tip attached that’s my submission sir. For instance, if someone like Maduekwe is prosecuted today I bet nobody will raise issue, open the Halliburton scandal file today people will hail you, prosecute Saraki when the air is clear of ur differences nobody will talk witch-hunt. We’re talking about the timing not the legitimacy. “Aje ku lanan Omo ku leni” I’m sure u fathom that Yoruba adage
All dancer on this tone should be very, very careful not to dance anorther man dance. Or may be is time to pay back the weakness in Nigerian politic.
Saraki should learn from the ibori’s saga. Politics or no politics, when push comes to shove the deciding factor will be the facts on ground. Majority of our so-called leaders are criminals, who are walking free today because the system lack the political will to prosecute them to the fullest.
Saraki is a very arrogant man, I hope common sense prevails before he ends up in jail.
U may be right my dear but the way and manner Buhari and APC are going about it is witch hunting trust me nothing will come out it. Saraki is already gathering support from Nigerians.
Which support and from whom? Let Saraki go and prove his innocence. Remember “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands”. This is a true litmus test for the anti corruption campaign and the strengthening of our anti corruption institutions i.e Police, ICPC, EFCC etc…
It is not an election issue, so Nigerians support do not matter here. He has to defend the charges before the court. And yes, we must hunt the witches that are bent on killing Nigeria. Witch hunting is one of the best things to happen to Nigeria recently
When the same thing happened in the house of representatives in 2011, nobody died., PDP just allowed the sleeping dog lie instead of using it overheats the polity
We voted for CHANGE, so that, things will not be done the PDP way.
APC should just relaxe and wait for another time
The Party is just embarrassing itself and country before the international community. ThIs whole drama depicts how unreal and undemocratic the party is. APC is set to crumble
Actually this is burnishing the image of Nigeria better than anything you’d imagine – that rule of law now counts in Nigeria. We need more of that
We told Nigerians that Buhari is a dictator and we’ve proved right
The onus is on Saraki to prove his innocence irrespective. Remember “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands”. This is a true litmus test for the anti corruption campaign and the strengthening of our anti corruption institutions i.e Police, ICPC, EFCC etc…
Let Saraki prove his innocence irrespective. Remember “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands”. This is a true litmus test for the anti corruption campaign and the strengthening of our anti corruption institutions i.e Police, ICPC, EFCC etc…
Saraki is under trial and not Buhari. Buhari has just refused to allow himself to be dragged into covering up crime..,,and you know it!
We told Nigerians Buhari is a dictator and we’ve been proved right by all these dictatorial tendencies of his
Please be let us be objective here. The issue is not about removing Saraki or not. There is a democratic process of asset declaration. Number on and Number two have declared their assets and there is a question with assets declared by Number three. With the determination f the current government to put in place a lasting legacy of probity in our governance. The onus is on Saraki to prove his innocence irrespective. Remember “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands”. This is a true litmus test for the anti corruption campaign and the strengthening of our anti corruption institutions i.e Police, ICPC, EFCC etc…
Leadership at some level is dictatorial, would you rather a flip-flopper be voted in – we tried that with Jonathan and see what mess we are in…
Watch what will happen to APC soon
Nothing unpleasant will happen to APC, but I can assure you that, a lot of people will end in jail for corruption related offences. The evil men do, living after them is not enough, but catching up with them is in vogue now.
In fact this people should just be careful, if this anti corruption war is not fought with objectivity and sincerity another party will definitely spring up from APC. Maybe PDP will even join the new party. Anytime I read from Buhari’s statement I always get vindicated on my position b4 the election. What a vague General. Anytime he goes on his foreign trip there is always a blunder. Look at France of recent. Talking naively to the whole world- chaiii!!!. Nigeria!!!!. How do you expect a man that built all his life on corruption, deceit and lies to fight corruption. Now we can’t take the issue of certificate any longer cos the truth is detrimental to our entire system. We moved from their to Asset declaration. Even a well informed “Madman” could see the inconsistency in that shallow declaration. A man of “General Body Language” calibre can only take us back to the OBJ era and apparently worse on war against corruption. I will be so disappointed if my mentor for now- pastor Tunde Bakare, accept any slot in this govt. The purpose will be to use that man’s integrity as cover up. Still I trust he wud opt out if that occurs.
It’s hightime we woke from our slumber, kudos to APC. & FG, 4 the Nigerians that r used to corrupt practices I say sorry 4 u & ur generation! D time 2 clean Nigeria is now
You don’t need a rocket scientist to remove the senate president. APC leadership are just noise makers without brain. I guess the few smarts one are with the senate president. That is while anytime they make attempt to stop this man they fall into great errors and embarrassment.
The issue is not about removing Saraki or not. There is a democratic process of asset declaration.
Number on and Number two have declared their assets and there is a question with assets declared by Number three. with the determination f the current government to put in place a lasting legacy of probity in our governance. The onus is on Saraki to prove his innocence irrrespective. Remember “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands”. This is a true litmus test for the anti corruption campaign and the strengtheniong of our anti corruption institutions i.e Police, ICPC, EFCC etc…
Why do we always politicize everything in Nigeria, does it really matter whether he left office 50 or 100 years ago? Here in the UK cases that were 50 or 60 years old are still been revisited, for instance, Jeremy Kyle even after his death is still being prosecuted and persecuted, my once personal hero – Bill Cosby (US) is still facing charges of alleged rape many years after it happened. Do we not think that to make the PDP know it is serious about its corruption fight the APC chose to go after the biggest in its camp? For the sake of argument, let us even assume that it is a witch hunt, would it not be apt for the Senate leader to attend the court and disprove all the allegations against him and go a step further to sue the CCB for whatever it is worth thereby sending a message to other distractors to our democratic journey? So please, its a new dawn, many more to come. Anybody that has not got anything hidden in his/her cupboard need not be afraid, but if you have stolen our collective wealth then be ready, the day of reckoning beckons. If not for anything at least for the sake of our children and the next generation. Maybe you should go and take a second look at the alleged list of properties this guy has and see if you would have second thought.
Nigeria need hunt down all the witches from every nook and cranny of Nigeria !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Xto, I understand ur point and pain to the latter; not like our politicians here will say though, for real. But look at it this way. In the animal Kingdom, You suggest to a lion you detest carnivorous attitudes. Knowing fully well the lion survive on that. However, u chose to pretend to the other animals ure not aware. Now, the Lion went on outing and came with a very big animal; say “Buffalo”. Now you got enticed and ate part of it( you hate terror remember). Having ate to satisfy ur hunger in the presence of other view animals around watching and some peeping, u came outside to yearn again; if I’m made ur king I will stop terror and assure security among us all. As destiny wud av it, you got elected as the king. Now let the war begin. Then you start twisting ur words of promise.
The king hated rivalry so much and believe he’s all in all. No chief, but few aides to send on an errand. Meanwhile, you continue dinning with the lions and leopards. But there is this tiger- of the same family, that believes he’s smart and can hunt on his own, cos he as the king detest rivalry and sole control by his superiors. Then to teach him a lesson, you conveyed ur artillery, arch men and the rest to strategise his containment. Meanwhile, the king harbour the rest carnivores in his palace abode, while they continue their act at will.
How sane, sincere and diligent is that war sir?
We know that Tinubu and his APC cohorts are behind these charges. They will fail. We should also dig deep into Tinubu’s and Fashola’s assets declarations in Lagos State during their tenure in Lagos state as a prelude to investigate Senate President Saraki.
I dont care what anybody says fighting corruption IS A TASK THAT MUST BE DONE AT ALL COST !!!!! QED
Controversial men like these are the ones turning the country into a banana republic. Time and time again, dragging the country image in the mud. If he is innocent, why seeking court protection? All these melodramas, resignation would have best served the day, to best protect character image and clear one’s name instead. The global world is watching this episode, a test for our justice system, whether such men with doubtful characters has what it takes to enact laws that will truly represent the will of the people or only that which will only and only if covers their trash. The issue of being politically motivated or witch-hunting for individual shouldn’t arise. After all, the individual did not gather support to acquire assets without clean bill . I think people should be wise, particularly the youths who are easy tools for rallies in support of rogues!
The question is did he do it or not?
Bros he’s innocent until proven guilty. But that is law. In real life, I don’t trust any single one of em; so I will say he’s guilty until proven otherwise. Even our Mr. Gandalf(Buhari) doctored his declaration, so it’s not peculiar to Saraki. But If we, as the masses allow this war to be fought to target specific political foes we’re not doing our job then. I’m sure u are aware of the peesidenr’s stand on Saraki’s post, I’m sure u must know this war is for the president to avoid addressing Saraki as Senate president which is imperative when sending list of ministers, I’m sure u will also reason that this politics(not yet a case) is all about supremacy. If we allow this war to be fought this way I tell you brother we’ll be goi back to the OBJ era and noti will be fought aside the prodigal sons that will neva apologise to their master.
That’s why he has to defend himself.
I dey laugh (lol) Saraki’s CRIME is merely about his AUDACITY TO THE TRUTH and FAIRNESS by setting up a panel to probe the POWER sector RETROACTIVELY, which included Nigeria’s corruption GODFATHER OBJ’s bastardisation period.
OBJ has a dossier of PMB’s corruption and criminal past. PTF, bags of money smuggled out (money laundering), oil block to cronies, stooges, false/non- existent certificates.
OBJ and PMB are just deceiving and lying to nigerians.
There is a QUID pro QUO arrangement between them. PMB has many of such arrangements with other crooks (scratch my back, I’ll do the same to you)
THAT’S our paradigm CHANGE.,kwo. GOD HAVE MERCY..
By the way, Boko Haram needs an IDEOLOGIC CHANGE, so PMB has some work (CHANGE) to do up North:- it’s more serious, time consuming and rewarding when it suceeds (ideological warfare )
We can never move forward in Nigeria, because of too many useless diversion of opinions. Let’s call a spade a spade, allegations can be brought up anytime, regardless of how long this offence was committed. Take a case of Bill Cosby (USA) for instance, his crime was committed more than 30 years ago. Saraki cannot continue as the Senate President with corruption hanging on his neck. It’s only in Nigeria that we celebrate stealing, lying, etc, as the order of the day. Because, we have a very nasty / fluid system. Nothing has beginning, that does not have an end. I’m quite positive, that things will /cannot continue like this forever. The only one solution to solving all these problems is likely to be ”Jerry Rawlings” approach @ total cleaning of the rot in our society. I’m positive that Mr. Solechi, the prolific editor of this nice script knew quite well, that Saraki is complicit of this allegation. Why then, are we deceiving ourselves @ solving corruption? Anytime, any of these thieves are cornered, it’s always the story of political enemy, or military wit shunting civilians, which makes no sense. The basic facts is that all cannot be brought to justice at one time. The process has to be selective, based on order of priority (Saraki is # 3 Citizen). Let’s wait for the justice/legal, EFCC or whatever it is, to clear Saraki out of those allegations. Otherwise, Saraki will always be met with resistance / picketing & shame, ( By Nigerians abroad), anytime he travels abroad as Senate President trust me. He cannot eat his cake and have it. If the code of conduct bureau finds Buhari guilty of corrupt practices, so be it. No one is above the law or to be an acclaimed clown or fighter. All I know, is that 90% of our politicians mostly the Governors are rogues.
Buhari would not last 4 years mark my word, he would either die in power or get kicked out again. Any which way him and his party are doom to fail the nations expectation in every front.
..and how long are you going to last on earth yourself? maybe you’d be dead and not even read this piece…nothing befalls a man except what the Almighty have written for him. Grow up man!
How much did you get paid for this op-ed.Nigerians voted for change in March 2015. Maybe you didn’t know that AND Change is here AND nobody is above THE LAW. So do like a reptile that you are and crawl back into the cave that you came out of
We will review and take appropriate action.