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Tag: CCT

  • Orubebe didn’t declare Abuja property – Witness

    Orubebe didn’t declare Abuja property – Witness

    Mr. Sam Madojemu, the prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, on Thursday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that the ex-minister did not declare his property at Plot 2057, Asokoro, Abuja.

    Madojemu said during cross examination by Orubebe’s lawyer, Mr. Larry Selekowei (SAN), that document obtained from the FCT Land Registry indicated that three plots of land were allocated to Orubebe.

    He said Plot 2057, Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04, was the subject matter of the charge, which the defendant failed to declare at the time he left office as minister on April 10, 2011.

    The witness said the other two plots declared by Orubebe are Plots 2460, Cadastral Zone A05 Maitama, Abuja and 1736, Cadastral Zone A09 Guzape District, also in Abuja.

    He also said the Right of Occupancy and the Certificate of Occupancy of the property were signed by the defendant himself.

    The witness said there was no place in the asset declaration form where Orubebe indicated that the said plot 2057 was given to him by the Federal Government free of charge.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ex-minister was arraigned by the federal government for failing to declare the Asokoro property.

     

  • CCT chair: I was under pressure to convict Tinubu

    CCT chair: I was under pressure to convict Tinubu

    •Witness insists Senate President made false asset declaration

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, said yesterday that the tribunal and its members were subjected to “serious influence” during the trial of a former Lagos State Governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Umar said, unlike what obtained during the Tinubu trial, the tribunal was not under any external influence or interference in its handling of the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    “I want to say that in the case of Bola Tinubu, we were under serious influence, but we did what we had to do and discharged him. So we must be fair to ourselves not to delay this trial.

    “The insinuation that we are being influenced in this case is not true. We are all answerable to Allah, when we breathe our last,” Umar said.

    Tinubu was taken before the tribunal in 2011 for allegedly operating foreign accounts while serving as governor between 1999 and 2007. The charge was struck out, following which he was discharged.

    Umar said he was guided by his conscience, the urge to do justice and the belief that everyone is answerable to Allah (GOD) when he dies.

    The CCT Chairman spoke at the resumption of Saraki’s trial yesterday. He was reacting to insinuation in the media that the tribunal was being influenced to give a guilty verdict against Saraki.

    The second member of the tribunal, William Agwadza Atedze, frowned at attempts to tarnish the reputation of the tribunal’s members through sponsored media publications.

    “At the weekend, there was an article in the paper about me. It was titled: ‘CCT and the bird of the same feather.’ The author is taking on the wrong person, I do not keep quiet.

    “The insinuation that we have been compromised is not true. Adebayo Adelodun and Yusuf Ali (two senior lawyers in Saraki’s legal team) were my classmates at ABU (Ahmadu Bello University). I am very outspoken and I have not changed.

    “When they say one member of the bench is not contributing enough, do you want us to be fighting on the Bench or disagreeing in the open? The Bench is not a motor park. When we do not agree on any issue we resolve it in the office.

    “This is not about the headship of Senate. This is not about an individual. It is about the country. This country is on its knees. Today, we cannot buy common tomatoes in the market. This is about the country. It is not about an individual. This case is a watershed, no matter which way it goes at the end of the day,” Atedze said.

    Responding, leader of Saraki’s legal team Kanu Agabi (SAN) admitted that the defence had before yesterday expressed fear about the proceedings. He said they were now assured that justice would be done since the tribunal Chairman has placed the proceedings before God.

    Agabi said: “There is nothing lawyers fear most than prejudice. We are glad that you have declared that you fear God and committed this proceedings to God.

    “Prejudice ought not to have a place in the law court, but today it is. Because you have called the name of God, may God guide you. I pray for you everyday that God should protect you. You are a young man, handling a critical issue in our nation’s life,” Agabi said.

    Lead prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the tribunal members to ignore the impression being created about them in the media and not be bothered by it.

    “It is not only this tribunal and its members that they are writing about. They have also written all sorts of things about us. It is what we are subjected to everyday,” Jacobs said.

    He said Agabi’s claim that they fear prejudice was uncalled for. He said: “All the rulings of this tribunal have been upheld by the appellate courts. So, where is the claim of prejudice?

    “We have nothing to hide. We cannot tell lies against anybody. I cannot ask my witness to tell lies. We mention more of God in this country but we do less of God. That is our problem,” Jacobs said.

    Later, under cross-examination by Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Usoro (SAN) first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas insisted yesterday that investigation revealed that the Senate President made false declarations in the asset declaration forms he submitted while in office as Kwara State governor.

    Wetkas, who insisted that Saraki made anticipatory declaration in 2003 in respect of the property he acquired on 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, said the property was only sold by the government in 2006.

    He said the property declared by Saraýki as 15A and B, McDonald Road , Ikoyi, Lagos, on assuming office as Kwara State Governor in 2003 was the same as 15, McDonald Road Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The witness added that the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Sale of Federal Government’s Properties confirmed that15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, was sold to Saraki’s company, TinyTee Limited.

    He noted that Saraki had, in the form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on assumption of office in 2003, claimed that he acquired 15A and B, Mcdonald Ikoyi, ýLagos, through Carslise Properties Limited.

    “I have always said it in my evidence about 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi. We maintain our position that that property was one and the same property that the implementation committee wrote to us about. The implementation committee did not tell us that there existed15 A and B separately.

    “The Managing Director of Carlisle Property, Sule Izuagbe, also talked about 15 McDonald as the property belonging to the defendant (Saraki) and the defendant in the asset declaration which he made in 2011 and 2015, declared the property as 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi; he no longer said 15A and B.

    “That is why we maintained the same position that it is the same property.  The nomenclature is just as the convenience of the defendant,” the witness said.

    He confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy for 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, was issued in the name of TinyTee Limited and not in Saraki’s name.

    Wetkas also confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy with November 26, 2006 as its commencement date was issued by the ýthen Minister of Housing and Urban Development ýand not the implementation committee.

    He said, in the course of investigation, he did not come across any document signed by Saraki in relation to the Ikoyi property.

    On how he concluded that the property belonged to Saraki, Wekas said his conclusion was informed by his finding that the property on 15 McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was paid for by Saraki through the bank accounts of two other companies which Saraki had declared his interest in.

    He also said the Managing Director of two of Saraki’s companies – Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited and ýSky View Properties – Mr. Sule Izuagbe, confirmed that the payment for the property was made on the instruction given by the Senate President.

    “We believe that the property was bought for the defendant. The property was paid for through the account of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited and Skyview Properties. Skyview and Carlisle belong to the defendant and he declared them as his companies.

    “The sum of N125million was taken from Skyview’s account with Access Bank out of which N123.73million amounting to 75 per cent of the price of the property was paid for the property.ý”

    He said ý N125million was a loan obtained by Saraki through the account of Skyview’s account with Access Bank.

    Wetkas added that the offer letter for the loan was signed for on behalf of Skyview by Saraki’s wife, Toyin.

    “The Managing Director of Carlisle and Skybiew, Izuagbe, said the payment for the property was directed by the defendant.

    “Izuagbe listed the property (15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi) as part of the properties he was managing on behalf of the defendant.

    “The defendant also declared the property in his asset declaration forms of 2011 and 2015.That was the basis for our conclusion that the property belonged to the defendant,” the witness said.

    In an effort to distinguish Saraki from the companies, Usoro argued that it was wrong for Wetkas to conclude that the property acquired by companies in which Saraki had interests could be considered his personal property.

    He stated that Carlisle and Skyview were both limited liability companies and possess separate personalities from that of the shareholder.

    Jacobs interjected and argued that: “The defendant was asked to declare in the asset form the assets he acquired, including the ones he got through nominees. He himself declared the property as his. The issue of legal personality does not arise in view of the asset declaration regime in Nigeria. They don’t go to any issue.ý”

    Also, Usoro faulted the prosecution’s claim in count 11 of the charge, in which Saraki was accused of failing to declare his liability of N375million loan he obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in January 2010.

    Usoro said the Senate President was not bound to declare the N375 million as his liability because as of the time he made his end of tenure asset declaration as governor on June 3, 2011 was about N36million.

    Answering question from Usoro, Wekas said while it was true that that the debit balance on the account was N36million as of May 31, 2011, Saraki failed to declare the property he allegedly acquired in London with the loan.

    “There are two issues. The issue of the loan and the issue of property he used the loan to buy in London.

    “Our position is that we are aware that the outstanding balance was not N375million but N36,042,202.04 as at that date.

    “But if that loan was taken for something else apart from property, we would not have made an issue out of it.

    “But it was taken to buy a property. Our position is that, that property should have been declared in this asset declaration form of 2011. “And if it was declared in the asset declaration form, the source of how the property was acquired would have been declared that the money was sourced through loan,” Wetkas said.

    Hearing resumes today.

  • CCT not under influence to convict Saraki – Chairman

    CCT not under influence to convict Saraki – Chairman

    The Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, on Tuesday, decried insinuations that he was being influenced to convict the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    Umar, who stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, promised to do justice in Saraki’s trial.

    “During Bola Tinubu’s case, we were under influence, but we did the right thing.

    “I swear by the Almighty Allah to do justice. On our part, the insinuation that we are being influenced to see the conviction of the accused is false.’’

    On the number of lawyers in Saraki’s defence team, Umar said, the records of the tribunal showed that “there are about 100 counsel standing for the defendant.’’

    He insisted that although the defence had right to have as many lawyers as they want but the tribunal had the power to regulate the conduct of counsel.

    He said there must be orderliness, adding that all the counsel may not be allowed to cross examine the witness.

    Umar stated that all the other lawyers can assist the leader of the defense team, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), rather than every other person in the defence team doing the job.

    He observed that there were many counsel cross examining a witness. This, he said, made the process untidy.

    “Henceforth, only the lead counsel, Agabi can do the cross examination. For purpose of the records of the court, it will be tidy for only the lead counsel to do the cross examination,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the CCT chairman as saying on the matter.

    Lawyer to EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had complained about the slow pace at which the defence team was handling the cross examination.

  • Appeal Court to hear Saraki’s fresh appeal May 31

    Appeal Court to hear Saraki’s fresh appeal May 31

    The Court of Appeal, Abuja has fixed May 31 for the hearing of a fresh appeal by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, challenging the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to try him on charges of false asset declaration.

    A five-man panel of the court, led by Justice Abdul Aboki, chose the date Monday  to accommodate a request by Saraki’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) for a 14-day adjournment to enable him study the response filed on behalf of the respondents, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

    When the case was called Monday, Agabi told the court that he was just served with the respondents’ cross appellant’s reply brief and would require time to look at it.

    Respondents’ lawyer, Henry Ejiga, who apologised for the absence of his principal, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) did not object to Agabi’s application for a 14-day adjournment, following which the court adjourned to May 31 for the hearing of both the appeal and cross-appeal.

    Saraki is, in his appeal, challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him based on a charge initiated by the office of the AGF. It is his contention that it is only the CCB that is empowered to prosecute cases before the CCT.

    CCB and AGF crossed appeal and argued that the motion, on which the CCT ruled, which formed the basis of the appeal by Saraki was an abuse of court process.

    They contend among others, that the issue of jurisdiction, having been resolved by the Supreme Court in an earlier appeal by Saraki, ought not to be raised again.

    It argued that the apex court, having held in a judgement of February 6, that the CCT was with the jurisdiction to try Saraki, the CCT ought not to entertain another motion filed by Kanu Agabi (SAN) for Saraki, challenging the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

    Meanwhile, Saraki’s trial before the CCT resumes today with his team of lawyers expected to resume their cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas.

    On May 11 when proceedings were last held, Wetkas said his investigation team relied on information provided by the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Alienation of Federal Government Properties in reaching the conclusion that Saraki made anticipated asset declaration.

    Wetkas said the presidential committee informed his team that it did not have on its record, 15 A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as declared by Saraki in his 2003 asset declaration form.

    He said contrary to Saraki’s claim, the committee identified the property it sold as No.15, and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Wetkas noted that, Saraki, on assuming office as Kwara State governor in 2003, declared that he acquired  15A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in 2000, whereas, the presidential committee wrote to his investigative team that it sold 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos to Saraki through his company, Tiny Tee Limited, in 2006.

    “The only authority that we could refer to was the presidential committee or the Lagos State Land Registry or the Presidential Implementation Committee. The other letters referred to by them (Saraki’s lawyers) were by private individuals.

    “We relied on the document from the Presidential Implementation Committee which said they only had 15, Mcdonald Road and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was occupied by another lessee.

    “We relied on the numbering of the properties by the presidential implementation committee and they stated that 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi was sold to Tiny-Tee.  That was the strength of our conclusion,” the witness said.

    Wetkas said he did not physically inspect the property at 15, 15A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, but ylthat other members of his investigative team did, and that they are in a better position to tell th tribunal what they found.

    On why he did not personally visit Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Wetkas said he needed not to because the letter from the Presidential Implementation Committee to his team had clarified issues on the existence o otherwise o th property.

    “There was no need for me to ask the implementation committee to take me to the properties. The letter clarified that there were only two properties as 15 and Block 15, Flats 1 to 4,” the witness said.

    Wetkas confirmed that the asset at 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, was at various times offered to a company, Energy Marine Resources and occupant of the house, Mr. Virtus Nwosu.

    The witness also confirmed that it was eventually sold to Saraki’s company.

     

  • EFCC clears CCT chair of corruption

    EFCC clears CCT chair of corruption

    There is no evidence to try  Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman Justice Danladi Umar for alleged corruption, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday.

    The commission said there were no facts yet to prosecute Justice Umar, who was accused by a former Customs officer, Mr. Rasheed Taiwo , a retired Deputy Comptroller General, that he collected a N10 million bribe.

    The EFCC said it stood by a letter, EFCC/EC/ SGF /03/56 of March 5, 2015 which its former chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, wrote to ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Anyim Pius Anyim that there were no sufficient facts  to prosecute the CCT chairman.

    The letter said: “However, the facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute him for the offence.

    “Above is submitted for the information of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, please.”

    A top official of the EFCC, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “We stand by our letter that we cannot prosecute the CCT chairman because there are no evidence to do so.

    “We have reviewed the allegations against Umar and we have amplified  the clearance given to Justice Umar.

    “This position will not change until there is a contrary proof against the judge.”

    The EFCC letter to Anyim by its ex-chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, said: “We refer to your letter ref. No. SGF.19./S.24/11/451 dated 23rd February 2015 on the above mentioned case reported by one Mr. Rasheed Taiwo (DCG rtd) of 6AB Milverton Road, Lagos against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar and his Personal Assistant, one Gambo Abdullahi.

    “The complainant, who is facing charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, alleged that Justice Umar made direct demand for the sum of N10 million to quash the charges sometime in 2012. “He disclosed that he was compelled to pay the sum of N1.8 million after persistent inundation with phone calls from Justice Umar, who received the bribe through the Zenith Bank account of one Ali Gambo Abdullahi, his personal Assistant, in December, 2012.

    “Investigation was extended to one Hon. Justice G.A Oguntade (rtd), who confirmed that the complainant informed him in 2012 of the issues he had at the Tribunal and the demand being made by Justice Umar. He disclosed that Justice Umar denied the allegation when he called him.

    “There are indications that the Tribunal Chairman might have demanded and collected money from the complainant through his said Personal Assistant.

    “However, efforts made to recover the telephone handset used by Justice Umar proved abortive, as he claimed that he had lost the telephone in 2012. This has made it impossible to subject it to independent scientific analysis with a view to corroborating the allegation.

    “In the same vein, the complainant could also not make available his telephone set for analysis on the grounds that he had lost it. Justice Umar also admitted that he met privately with the complainant in his chamber at the Tribunal. This is a most unethical and highly suspicious conduct on his part.

     ”There is a prima facie evidence to however prosecute  the Personal  Assistant, Abdullahi, who could offer no coherent excuse for receiving N1.8million into his salary account from Taiwo, who is  an accused person standing trial at the tribunal.

    “The full money has been recovered from him in May 2014 and aptly registered as exhibit. The fact that he made two contradictory statements on the reason he was paid the money is clearly an attempt to cover up on the reason the money was paid to him. He has accordingly been charged to court in charge no. CR/137/2015 pending at the High Court of FCT, Abuja.

    “However the facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute him for the offence.

    “Above is submitted for the information of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, please.”

    The CCT last night confirmed the receipt of a letter from the EFCC clearing its chairman of the bribery allegation.

    A statement by its Head, Press & Public Relations, Ibraheem Al-hassan, said: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has today conveyed a letter to the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Hon Danladi Yakubu Umar, exonerating him on the alleged N10million bribe by one AbdulRashid Owolabi, in his petition to the Commission.

    The letter was addressed to the Secretary to Government of the Federation, captioned “RE: Investigation Report RE: N10million  Bribery Allegation against the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja” with reference NO: EFCC/P/NHRU/688/V.30/99, dated 20th April, 2016.

    “The letter, which was signed by Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremo, Secretary to the Commission, reads:, ‘‘Kindly recall our correspondence of 5th March, 2015, (reference EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56) with the above subject, please.

    ‘‘We would like to reiterate the Commission’s position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and stated that the allegations leveled against Justice Umar were mere suspicious and consequently insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence.”

    “Today’s clearance letter was second to the previous one sent on the 5th March,2015 during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through the office of the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim.

  • EFCC clears CCT chairman of bribery allegation

    EFCC clears CCT chairman of bribery allegation

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday said it has no evidence linking the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, with the N10 million bribery allegation.

    In a letter signed by the Executive Secretary of the EFCC, Emmanuel Adegboyega Aremu, the commission said its investigation did not link Umar with the allegation made by one AbdulRashid Owolabi in his petition to the Commission.

    CCT’s spokesman, Ibraheem Al-hassan, said in a statement on Wednesday that the letter from the EFCC was addressed to the Secretary to Government of the Federation and captioned ‘‘Re: Investigation report on  N10 million  bribery allegation against the Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja, with reference NO: EFCC/P/NHRU/688/V.30/99, dated 20th April, 2016.

    The letter reads, ‘‘Kindly recall our correspondence of 5th March, 2015, (reference EFCC/EC/SGF/03/56) with the above subject, please.

    ‘‘We would like to reiterate the commission’s position in regard to this matter as earlier communicated to you and stated that the allegations leveled against Justice Umar were mere suspicious and consequently insufficient to successfully prosecute the offence.”

     

  • Saraki renew moves to disqualify CCT chairman from trial

    Saraki renew moves to disqualify CCT chairman from trial

    Following his failed attempt to procure an order of the Federal High Court to disqualify the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, from his trial, Senate President, Bukola Saraki has applied directly to the tribunal to have its chairman disqualified.

    In the application filed at the CCT’s Registry on April 19, Saraki, through his lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, is raising the same issue of rights violation, which he canvassed in the fundamental rights enforcement suit that Justice Adamu Abadu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja dismissed in a judgment on April 15.

    Just as in the suit before the federal High Court, Saraki is contending in the fresh application that he would likely not get fair trial because Umar was allegedly being investigated for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the same agency which is conducting his (Saraki’s) prosecution before the CCT.

    He alleged that since the CCT chairman was being investigated, he was likely to be manipulated by the Executive to give a judgment that favours the prosecution.

    He argued that the current composition of the tribunal would not guaranty its fairness and impartiality.

  • CCT rejects Saraki’s request for one week adjournment

    CCT rejects Saraki’s request for one week adjournment

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Tuesday rejected the plea by Senate President, Bukola Saraki for a one week adjournment in his trial for false asset declaration.

    CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, in a ruling held that having earlier directed the that proceedings in the trial would be held day-to-day, it would be wrong for the tribunal to grant the defendant’s request for a week adjournment when there was no compelling reason.

    Umar noted that the defence team, including about 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, did not raise any objection on Monday when the tribunal elected to conduct proceedings on daily basis.

    He also noted that the defence team, upon its request, was promptly provided with all documents tendered during Monday’s proceeding by the prosecution.

    The CCT chairman further held that having agreed to commence the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness on Monday, a process that continued on Tuesday, a week’s adjournment would disrupt the flow of the witness and the court’s observation of the witness’ testimony.

    Umar, who upheld argument by the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), rejected the argument by Paul Usoro (SAN) for the defendant that the provision of Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 conflicts with the provision of Section 36 of the Constitution in relation to the right of the defendant in a criminal trial for adequate time to prepare for his defence.

     

  • Saraki’s trial should not cripple Senate – CCT

    Saraki’s trial should not cripple Senate – CCT

    The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, on Monday said the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for false assets declaration need not affect proceedings in the Senate, insisting that the personality of the defendant was different from the Senate as institution.

    Umar said it would be erroneous for people to conclude that the tribunal’s decision to henceforth, conduct trial on day-to-day basis would cripple the Senate.

    “The person, who happens to be the Senate President, is the one on trial. Others should go ahead with the business of the house. We are not trying the Senate. Members of the Senate have statutory responsibilities which they must carry out. They should go ahead. We will also go ahead with our work. The Senate can carry on with the business of the Senate,” he said.

    Umar’s position was informed by complaint by lead lawyer to Saraki, Kanu Agabi (SAN), that the tribunal’s decision to sit on the case every day would cripple the upper legislative chamber.

    Also, lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), expressed regret that Senators at the proceeding murmured when the tribunal announced its decision to conduct day-to-day proceedings.

    He said it was a shame that the Senate, an institution funded with state could decide to personalise its activities by electing to close shop because an individual is on trial.

    “It is a disgrace to our nation to say that the Senate will be crippled because an individual is on trial. The Senate is not on trial here. The senators have no business being here. They should face their business, for which they earn such huge allowances. We should not personalise public offices,” Jacobs said.

     

  • CCT: Saraki’s camp in disarray as Senators seek end to crises

    CCT: Saraki’s camp in disarray as Senators seek end to crises

    •Oyegun: APC ready to sacrifice Senate Presidency

    Hours after the refusal of the fundamental rights application by Senate President Bukola Saraki to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) by a Federal High Court in Abuja, there were signs at the weekend that some of his prominent loyalists within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be retracing their steps.

    There were strong indications that they may be opting to support an ongoing move by the leadership of the party to unite the party’s caucus in the national assembly.

    Reliable national assembly sources told The Nation yesterday that prior to the judgment delivered by Justice Abdul Kafarati on Friday, some frontline supporters of the embattled Senate President have resolved to withdraw their support for Saraki in his bid to remain in office as Senate President while his trial at the CCT lasts.

    In the meantime, the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has ruled out the possibility of the party losing the senate presidency to the opposition. In an interview with an online medium, The Premium Times, he said, “We don’t take anything for granted. As they are planning, we are also planning. The situation is under control.”

    He insisted that the party is not likely to lose the position to the opposition, but noted that should this happen, it will have to be the ‘price’ for the desired ‘change’.

    It was also learnt that some members of the Senate President’s camp in the national assembly are now of the view that the incessant face-off between the legislature and the presidency allegedly being generated by Saraki’s trial at the CCT, is needless and avoidable.

    “Hence, some of them are ready to support a change in the leadership of the senate to save the ruling party from further crises and at the same time represent the yearnings of their constituents for good governance by ensuring strict adherence to the provisions of the laws of the country,” our source, a Senator from Lagos State, said.

    “Mr. Senate President is currently facing charges that borders on false declaration of assets … The issue has gone beyond mere accusations as he has already gone down in history as the first serving Senate President in the country to be docked in a competent court.

    “Sadly, one recalls that there is a way these things have been handled in the past to save the national assembly, and by extension, the government, from unnecessary embarrassment. All former presiding officers of the National Assembly, who were faced with similar charges, first resigned their positions in order to protect the integrity and sanctity of the country’s hallowed chambers.”

    The senator regrets that what has been happening in the last few months “were blatant display of disregard for the sanctity of the senate by some misled and confused senators whose loyalty is not to the country, but to an individual or group.”

    The senator added, “But one is happy today, to tell you that things are changing for better. For one, I can tell you the APC caucus in the senate is working towards uniting all. We are healing the divide imposed on us by self serving individuals. We are all returning our loyalty to the party and the government.”

    The Nation gathered that attendance at the regular and emergency meetings  of the ‘Like Minds Senators’, the group of senators loyal to the President of Senate, has plummeted in recent times, giving credence to talks about serious cracks in the ranks of Saraki  loyalists.

    Senate sources put the reduction in attendance to the activities of a committee instituted by the APC caucus in the national assembly to unite the legislators elected on the platform of the ruling party. According to reliable sources, the committee, that has core Saraki allies in the likes of Senators Aliyu Wammako, Danjuma Goje, Kabiru Gaya, Ahmed Yerima and Adamu Aliero, as members, is championing a united APC caucus that is loyal to the party and government as against the current arrangement of a divided caucus.

    For instance, a meeting called yesterday at the residence of Saraki in continuation of the one held earlier in the week recorded abysmal attendance in spite of the fact that it was scheduled early enough and a text message was sent few hours before the kick off to remind senators.

    Not only was the attendance low, the discussion, we learnt, was unimpressive. Those who attended, it was said, were downcast and disturbed. The meeting, unlike the one a few days earlier where the decision to review the laws establishing the CCT was taken, was devoid of the usual vibrancy, our source added.

    The Nation also gathered that the text message reminding Like Minds Senators of the meeting was, unlike the previous ones, sent by an aide of the Senate President. A prominent Senator from Kogi State is known to have sent invites to such meeting before now.

    “What we heard was that the Senator who used to do the invite tactically avoided doing same for the last meeting. To further cause anxiety in the Senate President’s camp, he was absent at the meeting where he was scheduled to brief the Senators on certain steps taken to advance the cause of the group. His action and absence formed the chunk of the discussion at the unimpressive meeting,” our source added.

    It was also gathered that the APC caucus in the lower chamber recently met to discuss the crises in the national assembly and resolved that members of the caucus must desist from taking side in the Saraki saga.

    “The House caucus took a decision that none of us should drag the lower chamber into the senate crisis by making inflammatory statements. Specifically, we are to henceforth toe the party’s line in all matters. The meeting also resolved that there should be no division within the caucus.”

    Another member of the lower chamber from Kogi State told our correspondent that effort to unite the APC caucus in the national assembly is yielding fruit to the detriment of the camp of pro-Saraki hardliners. According to him, it is only a matter of time before a final position on the various bones of contention in the national assembly is announced.

    The Nation also gathered that the dwindling fortunes of the Saraki camp is responsible for its inability to push through the suspension plot allegedly instituted against the Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabir Marafa, an unrepentant critic of the Senate President.

    Weeks after the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, submitted its report on its investigation on Marafa, the Senate has failed to deliberate on the panel’s recommendations. Marafa was accused of granting a press interview to allegedly mislead the public about the senate.

    Marafa, a second-timer at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, served as the mouthpiece of the Unity Forum, an umbrella of senators that worked for Senator Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North), the preferred candidate of the APC for the plum job.

    Following the Supreme Court verdict on the appeal of Saraki on his CCT trial, Marafa demanded the resignation of Saraki. He had said, “What is happening in the CCT is personal to Saraki and has nothing to do with his position as the Senate President. It has now reached the time when Saraki should take a bow to enable him concentrate on his case at the CCT.  I don’t have anything against him as a person.”

    Expectedly, pro-Saraki Senators made a huge show of the interview and demanded the immediate suspension of the Zamfara senator. But following an unexpected show of support for Marafa by other senators across party lines, Saraki referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.  He asked the committee to report back a week later.

    According to senate sources, the Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East)-led committee has recommended Marafa’s suspension but the development has failed to receive the blessing of majority of the members of the senate as many feel Marafa has not done anything wrong that would warrant any punishment.

    Our source also attributed the new thinking in the national assembly to both the effort of some party leaders in senate and the failure of Saraki to stop his trial at the CCT in spite of several efforts to get competent law courts to declare that he shouldn’t be docked.

    Kafarati’s judgement on Friday put paid to earlier optimism that the Senate President will get a reprieve. The judge held that the reliefs prayed for by Saraki “are not cognisable under Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution”, which lists the fundamental rights of citizens.

    Saraki had, for the umpteenth time through his counsel, Ajibola Oluyede, filed the application challenging the trial at the CCT for falling short of Article 3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. He argued that the prosecution wants to achieve the political objective of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

    Saraki’s counsel, Oluyede has indicated intention to appeal the verdict of the court before the Court of Appeal.

    The APC chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun has declared that a political solution may not be in sight for the ongoing Senate President’s trial at the CCT.

    According to him, a purported political solution as is being bandied by a section of the political class will negate the change philosophy upon which the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC government was voted into power last year.

    He said “The President is certainly not the type who will interfere in a judicial matter,” as that would also negate his straight personality.

    “Things must be done normally. And that is part of the change mantra that we must play by the rule so we don’t truncate the processes.”

    Odigie-Oyegun explained that “People don’t seem to internalize what change is. If the President says “court, free that man”, the same president can say “court, imprison that man.” Is that the Nigeria you want? No! Change means allowing the law to take the proper course. I can tell you the President won’t interfere. The President is straight definite, straight and firm in all facets.”

    On the possibility of the party losing the senate president position to opposition PDP, Oyegun said, “We don’t take anything for granted. As they are planning, we are also planning. The situation is under control.”

    He said, “I don’t think we will lose that position. But sometimes, for change to take place there is price you have to pay. So losing the position may be sacrifice for change.”

    On speculations of in-fighting in the party, Oyegun said this is normal as there are always different views. “Interests differ. Some feel they are not sufficiently rewarded or consulted. So, it happens. We are just barely one year in power.”

    On complaints that Nigerians have yet to feel the much-touted change, the APC chairman said change is a ‘process’ and a ‘progressive’ phenomenon. “When the process fully completes, we will have a totally new Nigeria.”