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Tag: AGF

  • AGF pledges reforms as Idris meets World Bank team

    AGF pledges reforms as Idris meets World Bank team

    The Accountant General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris has pledged to continue with  reforms to improve public financial management.

    Idris gave this assurance when he met with the Budget Support Mission from the World Bank at the Treasury House in Abuja, to discuss the implementation of the 2016 Budget.

    A statement by the Deputy Director (Press), Mrs. K.N. Offie, said Idris described the World Bank as a partner, whose role in promoting sound economic and fiscal policies was unparalleled.

    Idris said the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, being on the driver of reforms in public financial management, had made progress in implementation.

    He said the transition from IPSAS cash basis to IPSAS Accrual basis from January 2016, Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS),  including central personal cost monitoring, had led to reduced cost of personnel.

    The AGF also cited success in Government Integrated Financial Management Information System, (GIFMIS), which is a platform for e-payment and e-Collection as well as the Treasury Single Account Implementation.

    Idris  said  the reforms were necessary to bring the country at par with acceptable global best practices.

  • N1.04tr fine: NCC faults MTN’s suit

    N1.04tr fine: NCC faults MTN’s suit

    … Commission urges court to decline jurisdiction

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has faulted the competence of the suit filed by MTN Nigeria Communications‎ Limited challenging the N1.04 trillion fine slammed on it (MTN) for allegedly breaching NCC’s statutory and regulatory directives.

    MTN had sued NCC before the Federal High Court, Lagos and sought to void NCC’s decision to penalize it for failing to among others, register about 5.2 million subscribers within a given deadline.

    NCC, in a motion on notice, prepared on its behalf by a group of lawyers including Ahmed Raji (SAN) and Mahmud Magaji (SAN), queried the competence of the suit, the court’s jurisdiction to hear it and argued that MTN failed to ensure proper service of court documents on its.

    It is the NCC’s contention that the suit was wrongly instituted in the Lagos division of the Federal High Court and that MTN, in serving to court processes on it, failed to comply with the provision of section 143 of the NCC Act which stipulates that all court processes are to be served at the principal office of NCC.

    NCC argued that  it was not only wrong  for MTN to have served court processes in relation to the suit on its Lagos office, the telecommunication company initiated the suit at the wrong venue by going before the Federal High Court, Lagos, which lacked the territorial jurisdiction to determine the dispute.

    It stated, in a supporting affidavit, that not only did all facts relating to the dispute occur in Abuja, both defendants in the suit – NCC and the Attorney general of the Federation (AGF) – have their principal offices in Abuja.

    NCC therefore prayed the court to set aside the purported service of all processes in the case on it. In the alternative, it wants the court to either decline jurisdiction over the case or transfer it to its Abuja division.

    MTN is, by the suit, challenging NCC’s powers of to impose fine even as a regulator.

    It is MTN’s contention that NCC, being a regulator, cannot assume all the functions of the state on its own, considering the fact that they made the regulation, prescribed the penalty and imposed the fine, payable to the commission and not the Federal Government.

    It argued that by imposing a fine on it, the commission was already usurping “the exclusive legislative powers of the National Assembly, as well as the judicial powers of the courts established under the constitution.”

    MTN stated that it was not afforded its constitutional right of fair hearing before a court of competent jurisdiction and insisted that it had not been found guilty of any offence to warrant the fine of $3.9bn imposed on it.

    It wants the court to among others,  determine whether NCC can act pursuant to Section 70 of the NCC Act to impose a fine on it in view of the provisions of sections 1 (3), 4 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution.

  • AGF: why we couldn’t prosecute Chairman of  CCT

    AGF: why we couldn’t prosecute Chairman of  CCT

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, could not be prosecuted over the allegation of N44.5 million fraud leveled against him because of lack of evidence, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami said yesterday.

    According to Malami, his office sought the input of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on the allegation brought against Umar by the Anti-Corruption Network, a non-governmental organisation,

    The AGF, who spoke before the Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta-headed House Committee on Public Petitions, said: “We also wish to state for the record that presumption of law as it is relates with the constitutionality is embedded in section 36 of the constitution, section 36 subsection 5 which is based on presumption of innocence until the contrary is proved.

    “We have taken steps to invite the appropriate authorities inclusive of the EFCC and demanded for their input arising from the petition that was received in that respect.

    “I’m happy to bring to the notice of the committee that EFCC has provided opinion on the basis of which we acted, a copy of that letter I believe has been made available to the committee. It is dated 5th March 2015.

    “Driving from the conclusion, it became difficult for any prosecution to be initiated based on  the basis of facts as they were presented.”

    But the  Executive Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Network,  Mr. Ajulo Ajulo, said the CCT Chairman actually committed the acts he was accused of.

    According to him, the lawmakers should probe the allegations by scrutinising necessary documents from the CCT.

    The CCT chairman denied the allegations when questioned on the veracity of the claims in the petition.

    The committee Chairman urged the minister to present additional documents showing that the EFCC’s investigation into the networks allegations was thorough.

    He also asked the network to present its certificate of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission to the committee at a later date.

     

  • Bullet proof cars: AGF faults Oduah’s allegation against APC

    Bullet proof cars: AGF faults Oduah’s allegation against APC

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Tuesday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a suit filed by a former Minister of Aviation Senator Stella Oduah.

    Oduah alleged in her fundamental rights suit that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the bid to have her arrested and prosecuted.

    Arguing the AGF’s opposition to the suit, his lawyer Tijani Gazali said the Oduah’s claim was not substantiated.

    He said the former minister should have joined APC in her suit to enable the party defend itself.

    Gazali, who also filed a preliminary objection to the suit, urged the court not to grant Oduah’s application.

    “We urge the court to uphold the preliminary objection and decline jurisdiction. The applicant said the concoction of evidence to implicate her happened at APC caucus meeting, and that she was informed by a chieftain of APC.

    “APC is not before my lord to refute or admit the claims. APC should have been joined as a respondent to admit or refute the allegations against them,” Gazali said.

    Counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) G. K. Lotona said the issues Oduah complained about ccurred in Abuja, therefore the suit ought to have been instituted there.

    Citing Order 2 (1) of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure, the lawyer said: “Any applicant who alleges breach or likely breach of his fundamental rights may apply to the court in the state where the infringement occurred or is likely to occur.

    “Since all the acts in issue are alleged to have occurred in Abuja, the proper forum would and should have been the Federal High Court Abuja division. I urge your Lordship to decline jurisdiction,” he said.

    Oduah said there was a plot to arrest her over the 2013 purchase of two armoured BMW cars by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) under her watch. The vehicles were said to have cost N255million, an amount that sparked huge outrage.

    The former minister, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District in the Senate, said the vehicles were bought for the use and safety of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) officials who were in the country to inspect and certify the 22 airports being rehabilitated under her watch.

    Oduah said the bid to arrest her for a crime she did not commit began as the general elections approached when the House of Representatives led by Aminu Tambuwal (now Sokoto State governor), and its Committee on Aviation, set out to indict her. The lawmakers’ move, she said, was part of APC’s grand plan to capture power by all means.

    The party, she said, carried out a campaign of calumny by “demonising” the most visible leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Being a frontline PDP member, she also became a target, especially as she was seen as playing a crucial role towards the realisation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

    She said as part of the APC’s campaign of calumny against her and others, the party’s leadership commissioned some faceless organisations to write letters to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

    Among others, she said she was falsely accused of “all manners of corrupt practices and offences in respect of my stewardship as Minister of Aviation.”

    Oduah said was shocked by the allegations because the aviation ministry under her watch was run in the cleanest manner imaginable.

    Justice Okon Abang adjourned to January 25 for judgment.

  • Wada drags INEC, AGF, APC to court

    Wada drags INEC, AGF, APC to court

    Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and his party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare Wada winner of the inconclusive governorship election held in the state last Saturday.

    They made the request in a suit they filed before the court on Thursday, which has INEC, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants.

    It is Wada’s contention that in view of the death of the candidate of the APC, Abubkar Audu, it was incumbent on INEC to declare him winner of the election, which INEC declared inconclusive.

    He hinged his argument on the ground that he was the only surviving candidate with the majority of lawful votes cast in the election held on 21st November 2015.

    He also asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue him with a Certificate of Return.

    Wada and the PDP also filed another application praying the court to restrain INEC from conducting the December 5th supplementary election.

    The governor is seeking an order of injunction restraining APC from organising or holding a fresh primary election for the purpose of any ‎supplementary or other election for the Kogi State governorship election 2015.

    He also asked the court‎ to declare that APC cannot organise or hold a fresh primary election for the purpose of the supplementary election, having regard to the immutable statutory timeliness provided by enabling sections of the Electoral Act 2010 and the INEC timetable for Kogi Governorship election.

    The plaintiffs asked the court to declare that the AGF was not competent to issue directives to INEC to allow APC to substitute its candidate for the Kogi governorship election after the commencement of the election, and that such directive is null and void for its inconsistency with the provisions of the constitution.

    They urged the court to hold that APC could not lawfully nominate a candidate for the supplementary governorship election slated for December 5, 2015, without a valid and legally cognizable primary election of the APC conducted within the mandatory timeliness specified by the Electoral Act.

    Wada and PDP further asked the court to declare that, “having regards to the provisions of Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2010, votes scored by a candidate who died during an election cannot be inherited by or transferred to a person who was not a candidate at the said election and who did not participate in all stages of such election, for the purpose of concluding such election.

    The plaintiffs, in a 36-‎paragraph supporting affidavit deposed to by the PDP State Collation Agent for the election, Joe Agada, it was stated that with the demise of APC’s candidate, the two leading candidates became Wada with 199,514 votes and that of the Labour Party with 8, 756 votes.

    “That I know as a fact that INEC on this basis ought to declare ‎Wada the winner of the governorship election of 21st November 2015, being the only surviving candidate with the highest number of votes and scoring 25 per cent of the votes in all the Local Government Areas of the State.”

    The case has not been assigned to any judge for hearing.

    The suit by Wada and his party is coming shortly after the late Audu’s running mate, ‎James Faleke, wrote to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, seeking to be declared the winner of the election.

    In a letter written by his lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Faleke said that the only option opened to INEC is to declare him the governor-elect.

    Olanipekun wrote, “What INEC should do is to obey, respect and comply with the letters, spirit, intendment and tenor of the constitution by not only declaring APC as the winner of the election, but by also declaring our client as the governor-elect.”

    He said that INEC’s directive to APC to conduct a new primary to select a candidate to replace Audu was “unfounded, both legally and constitutionally. It can also not be reasonably or rationally defended.”

    He drew the attention of the INEC chairman to the provision of section 68(1) and (c) of the Electoral Act to the effect that any result declared by Returning Officer shall be final and binding, and can only be reviewed or upturned by an election tribunal.

  • APC can substitute candidate, says AGF

    APC can substitute candidate, says AGF

    Attorney-General and Justice minister Abubakar Malami (SAN), yesterday spoke on the controversy generated by the death of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State, Abubakar Audu.

    He said since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election held in the state last Saturday inconclusive, the exercise must be concluded.

    Malami said the APC would have to substitute its candidate for the purpose of the supplementary elections.

    He spoke in Abuja at a seminar organised by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) on the review of the National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act.

    On whether the substitution could result in the late Audu’s running mate, James Faleke, becoming, the governorship candidate, he said the choice was for the party to make.

    “The issue is very straightforward. Fundamentally, Section 33 of the Electoral Act is very clear in case of death. The right for substitution by a political party is sustained by the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act.

    “And, if you have a community reading of that Section with Section 221 of the Constitution, which clearly indicates that the right to vote is the right of a political party and, the party in this case, which is the APC, has participated in the conduct of the election.

    “It is therefore apparent that the community reading of the two provisions does not leave any room for conjecture.

    “APC, as a party, is entitled to substitution by the clear provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act. Also, Section 221 of the Constitution is clear that the votes that were cast were cast in favour of the APC.

    “Arising from that deductions, it does not require any legal interpretation. The interpretation is clear: APC will substitute, which right has been sustained by Section 33 of the Electoral Act. So be it.

    “The supplementary election has to be conducted along the line. It all depends on the appreciation of  issues arising from the primaries conducted before now.

    “There was a first and a second candidate. That primaries that had taken place over time had not by anyway  been nullified. And it is recognised by law.

    “But then, a further consideration would be the idea of  conducting another primary, but that is not envisaged in view of the sustainability of the first primaries,” Malami said.

     

  • PDP demands AGF’s, INEC chair’s resignation

    PDP demands AGF’s, INEC chair’s resignation

    OPPOSITION Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday broke its silence on the Kogi State governorship election of last Saturday, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared inconclusive.

    In its first official reaction to the poll by its spokesman, Olisa Metuh, the party asked the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami and INEC chair, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to quit their positions.

    The party alleged that the AGF misled INEC to take an unconstitutional position on the yet-to-be concluded elections and that the INEC chairman hastily accepted the minister’s suggestion without advice from INEC’s legal unit.

    The statement said that the AGF should “immediately vacate his office for harrying and misleading the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into arriving at an unconstitutional decision to allow the APC to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive Kogi State governorship election.

    It went on: “The party is shocked that INEC, a supposedly independent electoral umpire could allow itself to succumb to the antics of the APC by following the unlawful directive of an obviously partisan AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of the ballot process.

    “We are all aware that the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act, have provisions for electoral exigencies as well as empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inaction without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever.

    “We are therefore at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate in an on-going election even after the timelines for such has elapsed under all the rules.

    “INEC as a statutory body has the full complements of technical hands in its legal department to advice it appropriately and we wonder why it had to wait for directives from the AGF, an external party, if not for partisan and subjective interest.

    “Consequently, the PDP rejects in its entirety, this brazen move by the APC and INEC to circumvent the laws and ambush the yet-to-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the constitution and the electoral act.

    “The clear implication of this action of the AGF and INEC is that the APC would be fielding two different governorship candidates in the on-going Kogi election, meaning that INEC would be transferring votes cast for late Prince Abubakar Audu to another candidate, scenarios that have no place in the constitution of the land.

    “Whereas the PDP, in honour of the sanctity of human life and respect for the dead, had since Sunday refrained from making comments on the conduct of the election, we can no longer maintain such in the face of the barefaced attack on our democracy.

    “This INEC under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has shown itself as partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable of conducting a credible election within our laws.

    “In view of the foregoing therefore, the PDP demands an immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, as the nation’s democracy cannot afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that cannot exert its independence and the sanctity of the electoral process.”

    The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) will today meet to take a decision on the development which it called an “obvious threat to our democracy.”

     

  • PDP asks AGF, INEC chairman to resign over Kogi poll

    PDP asks AGF, INEC chairman to resign over Kogi poll

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mallam Abubakar Malami and the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, to resign their positions.

    According to the party, Malami misled the INEC into arriving at an “unconstitutional decision” to allow the All Progressives Congress (APC) to substitute its candidate in the inconclusive Kogi State governorship election.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said the party was shocked that INEC, a supposedly independent electoral umpire could succumb to the antics of the APC by following the “unlawful directive” of an obviously partisan AGF to substitute a candidate in the middle of the ballot process.

    Metuh said, “We are all aware that the two legal documents guiding INEC in the conduct of elections; the Constitution and the Electoral Act, have provisions for electoral exigencies as well as empower the electoral body to fully take responsibility for any of its actions or inactions without undue interference from any quarters whatsoever.

    “We are therefore at a loss as to which sections of these two relevant laws, INEC and the AGF relied on in arriving at their bizarre decision to substitute a dead candidate in an on-going election even after the timelines for such has elapsed under all the rules.

    “INEC as a statutory body has the full complements of technical hands in its legal department to advice it appropriately and we wonder why it had to wait for directives from the AGF, an external party, if not for partisan and subjective interest.

    “Consequently, the PDP rejects in its entirety, this brazen move by the APC and INEC to circumvent the laws and ambush the yet-to-be concluded election by introducing a practice that is completely alien to the constitution and the electoral act.

    “The clear implication of this action of the AGF and INEC is that the APC would be fielding two different governorship candidates in the ongoing Kogi election, meaning that INEC would be transferring votes cast for late Prince Abubakar Audu to another candidate, scenarios that have no place in the constitution of the land.

    “Whereas the PDP, in honour of the sanctity of human life and respect for the dead, had since Sunday refrained from making comments on the conduct of the election, we can no longer maintain such in the face of the barefaced attack on our democracy.

    “This INEC under the leadership of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has shown itself as partisan, morally bankrupt and obviously incapable of conducting a credible election within our laws.

    “In view of the foregoing therefore, the PDP demands an immediate resignation of the INEC Chairman, as the nation’s democracy cannot afford to be left in the hands of an electoral umpire that cannot exert its independence and the sanctity of the electoral process.”

    As a result of the development, the party has summoned an emergency national caucus meeting for Wednesday, to enable it take a decision on what it described as “threat to democracy.”

     

     

     

  • Dasuki: AGF, SGF shun court

    Dasuki: AGF, SGF shun court

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Taiwo Abidogun Monday went back on their words to attend proceedings in the case involving former National Security Adviser (NSA),Sambo Dasuki in compliance with an earlier order of the court.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja on November 13 ordered the AGF to appear before his court on November 16 in relation to the controversy surrounding the Dasuki case.

    The judge’s invitation to the AGF was informed by complaint by Dasuki’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) that, despite the order made by the court on November 3, allowing Dasuki to travel abroad, he was being prevented from embarking on the trip by security agents, who have allegedly laid siege on his Abuja home.

    On November 16, the AGF stayed away, but was represented by Abidogun, who was accompanied by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Diri. Abidogun told the court that he and the AGF were just appointed and were yet to be fully briefed about the activities of the Federal Ministry of Justice, particularly in relation to the Dasuki case.

    Abidogun sought for time to enable him and the AGF study the case and decide on what necessary steps to take.

    He urged the court to adjourn to November 23.

    Neither the AGF nor the SGF was in court at the resumed hearing Monday. In their place, the DPPF appeared, but refused to address the issue either the AGF or SGF was to address.

    Instead, Diri applied to the court to compel Dasuki to attend court.

    He noted that Dasuki had been absent in court during the last three adjournments without an order of the court dispensing with his presence.

    He denied that the state had flouted the court’s order granting Dasuki the permission to travel.

    He faulted Dasuki’s lawyer’s argument that the state should be made to account for why it allegedly flouted the order, noting that there were no pending contempt proceedings against the prosecution.

    Daudu objected to Diri’s application that his client be compelled to attend court despite that state’s agents alleged laid siege on his Abuja home by state’s agents.

    He urged the court not to grant any indulgence to the prosecution until the AGF appear to explain why the November 3 order has not been obeyed.

    Justice Ademola adjourned to November 26 for ruling.

    Before the court adjourned, Diri also told the court that the prosecution has filed a fresh application seeking an order revoking the bail granted the defendant (Dasuki) on September1 this year.

    The application is hinged on the ground that Dasuki was being investigated in relation to his alleged involvement in the mismanagement of funds meant for the purchase of arms and military equipment under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    “Interim report as submitted to the Federal Government indicated that resources running into over $2billion were allegedly corruptly embezzled and the investigation is unfolding further facts that require the presence of the respondent to assist in the investigation.

    “As a result of the interim report submitted to the Federal Government, there is a government directive for the arrest of all those indicted by the report, including the defendant. The public interest of the nation is at stake and investigation has to be properly conducted to logical conclusion.

    “The on-going investigation, which borders on money laundering against the defendant has also not been concluded and there is fear that investigation might be tampered with on account of foreign visit by the respondent before the completion of investigation.

    “Intelligence revealed that the defendant has concluded plans to take advantage of the order of this court releasing his international passport to escape justice and tamper with ongoing investigation.”

    It stated that it had received information from the National Hospital, Abuja that the ailment complained about by Dasuki, and for which he seeks to travel abroad was “not a life threatening ailment and facilities are locally available for the treatment.

    Dasuki is said to be suffering from colorectal cancer, a form of cancer that affects the cells of the colon or the rectum.

    The Chief medical Director of the National Hospital, Dr. J.A.F. Momoh, in a letter written in response to inquiry by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF), Taiwo Abidogun on whether Dasuki’s ailment could be treated in the country, answered in the affirmative.

    Part of the letter dated October 26, 2015 reads; “the treatment of colorectal cancer involves pre-treatment investigations, which include untrasound, computerized scanner and other laboratory tests to facilitate surgery.

    “These investigations as well as the surgical expertise for surgical treatment of this lesion are available at the National Hospital as well as some teaching hospitals in Nigeria. Following the surgery, there is almost always need for adjuvant chemotherapy, which are equally available in Nigeria.

    “I submit that facilities needed to treat colorectal cancer, including external beam radiotherapy in very advanced colorectal cancer are available in National Hospital, Abuja.”

     

  • AGF, IGP, EFCC, others ask Saraki not to politicize trial

    AGF, IGP, EFCC, others ask Saraki not to politicize trial

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase and others have asked  Senate President, Bukola Saraki  not to politicize his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    They advised him to direct his energy at defending the charge against him rather than imputing political motive to his trail.

    They faulted Saraki’s claim that his trial was politically motivated.

    In a counter affidavit they filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja in response to a fresh suit by Saraki, they denied being influenced by any political consideration to initiate the 13-count false asset declaration charge against him (Saraki) before the CCT.

    The AGF, EFCC, IGP, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Diri and Muslim Hassan (a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice) said Saraki’s trial was informed by the outcome of a joint investigation conducted by the EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) between 2003 and 2015.

    They said the investigation revealed among others, that Saraki lied in the information he presented in the CCB Forms he completed between 2003 and 2011 in Ikoyi and Ikeja, Lagos, using third party companies, in which he had interest, with the intension of concealing his interests in such property.

    They gave the name of the companies as: Tiny Tee Limited, Vitti Oil Limited, Skyview Properties Limited and Carlisle properties.

    The AGF, EFCC, IGP, Diri and Hassan added that the Senate President lied in his claim that an official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Bulus Micheal informed him that his trial was politically motivated. They said no official of the ministry bears such name.

    “The charges preferred against him before the CCT were based on the conviction that a prima facie case was disclosed after investigation and not on any political consideration. The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th and 11th respondents (AGF, EFCC, IGP, Diri and Hassan) are not politicians and they have no interest in who becomes the Senate President.

    “The 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th and 11th respondents do not take instructions from any politician, but are public officers and public offices, who are only interested in the performance of their statutory and constitutional duties.

    “No one has made or is making any effort to trump up allegations against the applicant, but the charges that were preferred against him were preferred upon being satisfied that a prima facie case was disclosed against him.”

    They denied Saraki’s allegation that his rights were being violated with his trial before the CCT, arguing that aside that the charges were validly preferred, the Court of Appeal, Abuja has, in its judgment of October 30, 2015 upheld the CCT’s position that it possessed the jurisdiction to try Saraki based on the charge.

    In their notice of objection, they challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear Saraki’s fresh suit, noting that the reliefs he was seeking in the new suit are contained in a similar suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/775/2015, which he earlier filed before the court, and which has now been assigned to Justice Evoh Chukwu of Court 8 for hearing.

    Saraki is, by the new suit, seeking to stop all the respondents, including the CCT, CCB from proceeding with his trial. He accused them of violating his rights.

    Last Monday, Justice Abdukadir Abadulkafarati heard an ex-parte motion for interim restraining order filed along with the new fundamental rights enforcement suit by Saraki.

    The judge declined to grant the applicant’s prayer, but instead, directed that the respondents be served with the motion and other processes in the case for them to show cause Friday (November 20) why the order sought by Saraki should not be granted.

    Justice Abdulkafarati found that not all the defendants were served by the applicant as ordered by the court. He refused argument by Saraki’s lawyer, Ajibola   Oluyede that he take further steps in the case.

    The judge insisted that every respondent in the case must be served before any further steps could be taken in the case.

    He consolidated the originating summons and preliminary objection, in view of his decision to hear all the processes simultaneously, and adjourned to December 2for hearing.

    The judge ordered that hearing notices be issued on the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th respondents (ICPC, CCB, CCT, CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, Atadaeze Agu Azda –CCT member, and Sam Saba – Director General, CCB), who are yet to be served as earlier ordered by the court.