Why I’m being prosecuted for corruption, by Saraki

"...there is still flagrant disregard for due process in our polity."

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NIGERIA: SENATE President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has stated reasons why he was being probed for corruption charges.

Saraki, who pleaded not guilty to the 13 charges bordering on corruption and false declaration of assets levelled against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday, said his major offence was because he is the president of the nation’s Senate

The Senate president claimed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, that he initially refused to honour the tribunal invitation to appear before it because he was trying to utilize the option of protecting his fundamental human rights under the law.

It would be recalled that there was controversy within the All Progressive Congress (APC) over the choice of the leadership of the Senate, with Saraki defying the leadership of the party, particularly after it was decided that Senator Ahmed Lawan should become the Senate President.

Some APC leaders, however, accused Saraki of betraying the party by colluding with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge as the Senate President, particularly with the choice of Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP as his deputy.

Also Saraki rebuffed the party on the sharing of other leadership positions in the Senate, saying at a point that his hands were tied to toe the party line, as the Senate is an independent body that should decide on its own in the sharing of principal offices.

But while defending himself on his prosecution by the Code of Conduct Bureau, Saraki said: “As I stated while taking the plea in the case, I reiterate my belief that the only reason while I am going through this trial is because I am Senate President.

“If I were to be just a Senator, I doubt if anybody will be interested in the asset declaration form I filled over twelve years ago,” Saraki stated.

He also said: “This belief stems from the fact that Section 3 (d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act provides that if there is a breach or non-compliance with any section of the law, the person involved should be given the opportunity to either admit or deny and that in the case of a written admission, no reference to the tribunal shall be necessary.”

“So, if the CCB had followed the guidelines, procedure or the due process provided in its own law, we won’t be having this trial.  It is my humble opinion that this case is a vivid example that there is still flagrant disregard for due process in our polity.

“This trial is not only being observed by Nigerians alone, the international community is watching because Nigeria is a key member of this community. So, the executive, legislature and judiciary should do the right thing that will truly demonstrate that we have imbibed the spirit of positive change.”

“It is however necessary for me to thank my colleagues in the Senate for the solid support and solidarity they demonstrated for me. I also thank my counsel for the brilliance they have shown in presenting our case and the supporters who were present in the tribunal in their hundreds. I want to assure you that I am innocent of all the charges and will clear my name in due course,” Saraki stressed.