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Tag: Saraki

  • Saraki visits Buhari’s son in hospital

    Saraki visits Buhari’s son in hospital

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday visited the injured Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Cedarrest Hospital in Abuja.

    Several other top government officials including the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, have also visited the highly secured hospital to greet the boy who was involved in a bike accident on Tuesday night.

    Armed security personnel were seen guiding the hospital in an attempt to keep unwanted persons away.

    Yusuf sustained a head injury and had one of his limbs broken.

    Surgical operation was conducted on him in after the accident.

    The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, on Wednesday returned to Abuja to attend to her injured son.

    A source disclosed that she has been with the boy at the hospital since returning to Abuja.

     

  • Ahmed, Saraki for Quranic competition

    Ahmed, Saraki for Quranic competition

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Sulu Gambari are expected at the finals of the state’s quranic competition.

    The competition holds between today and tomorrow at the stadium complex.

    Chairman of Kwara State Arabic Board Dr. Abdulkadir Juma’ Al-Salman is the chief host; the co-host is the Danmadami of Ilorin and chair of State Quranic Committee, Alhaji Sheu Abdulgafar.

    Committee spokesperson Alhaji Nuhu Isa said the proprietor of Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic studies, Abubakar Baraje and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Netherlands, Dr. Nimatallahi Akanbi, would chair the occasion.

    A Sharia court Khadi, Justice AbdulLateef Kamaldeen, is the guest lecturer.

    The finals would produce the state’s representatives for the national contest in Katsina State on February 2 and 11.

  • Saraki, like father like son

    Saraki, like father like son

    Again, the world stands up for Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Turaki of Ilorin as he clocks 55 years. It is a significant milestone in the evolution of the medical doctor who became a banker before turning his full attention into politics. Since he was picked as a Special Assistant on Budget to then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, which marked the beginning of his foray into the political landscape, Saraki has not looked back; climbing the political ladder in his state of Kwara where he holds the record as the first governor to serve a two-term tenure and now, at the centre as President of the Nigerian Senate.

    Many things have been said and written about Saraki, who has fully taken over the leadership of the political structure left by his father, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki; the man noted for his consensus philosophy in political arithmetic as well as his profound philanthropy.

    On a day like this, many are wont to compare Saraki, the son, with Saraki, the father. While this is plausible because the son mastered the father, it may also not be totally right, particularly where differences exist in methods, although not in principle. In principle, Saraki is still Saraki: the consensus philosopher, the philanthropist, the dogged fighter, the committed son of Ilorin and proud apostle of the Ile Alimi heritage of the ancient city, the man committed to the welfare and well-being of Ile Arugbo; that melting pot of the old and aged whose care he inherited from his father.

    But, Saraki, the son, has upscaled. He has added issues of youths to the agenda inherited from the father. Or, may be, he has refined the commitment of the Saraki political dynasty to issues affecting youths across the country. Whether in the area of personal support for their educational pursuits or in his role as a legislator, Saraki, the son, has shown the world that he is youth-friendly politician who can be counted upon to advocate and defend their rights at all times. His support for the #NotTooYoungTo Run Bill is just one clear testimony to this dimension of his politics.

    At home, we look at his personal intervention in the school fees controversy that rocked the Kwara State Polytechnic where the Senate President took time to listen to complaints by students through phone calls, examined documents they placed before him and publicly supported the state government’s effort at providing quality education at minimal discomfort to the people despite prevailing economic distress in the country. Or, consider the number of young people of unknown background who have risen to limelight through his political structure.

    But, Saraki is still Saraki; the bridge builder who has ears and is well received in virtually all sections of the Nigerian political system, a detribalised Nigerian who will not place religion or tribe at the forefront of his political agenda, relationships and decision-making.  Can we forget his decision to dispense of his own presidential ambition in favour of the incumbent President in 2015 without being lobbied or pressured by any and to the consternation of his supporters across the land?

    His understanding of the country’s political landscape is awesome and his political networking is phenomenal. But, Saraki is still Saraki; the depoliticised politician, the man who sets aside political affiliation in the overall interest of the common goal for a better and greater nation. That perhaps was a great factor in his emergence as President of the Senate, his survival of a dire political trial and his ability to continue in the office without falling for the banana peel that swept away many before him in that office. All these were also the hallmarks of the late Saraki.

    Saraki the son may not smile or laugh as much as Saraki the father did. He might have a suave personality unlike his father’s boisterous nature, and this Saraki might not mix well with the crowd and sit in their midst as his father was wont to do, but that has not disrobed him of the sobriquet Ilorin people gave his father and which he inherited, Agoro bogun bolu; the man who has capacity to take care of a community’s military force and still feed the entire community itself. I am sure many in Ilorin and across the country today will testify of the generosity of the Waziri Ngeri, Baba Oloye Saraki, the late Waziri who spent for the masses like he never worked for it; but the one who gazed the ground knows what he wanted. And Saraki got what he wanted; his today is sweeter than his yesterday. Few politicians are that blessed; his demise has not diminished his relevance.

    Saraki is still Saraki; a devotee of traditional institution. Like his father, Saraki courts traditional leaders like a man would court a beautiful damsel. In the northern part of Nigeria’s politics, religion and the traditional institution are interwoven and Saraki is not one to offend any. Little wonder he has a close rapport with both traditional and religious leaders, not only in his state but across the nation.

    His pragmatic leadership of the National Assembly, especially the Red Chamber, can be described as years of significant bills. Despite several political odds and mudslinging, the Senate under Saraki has been one of the most productive, breaking many grounds and setting many records.

    Three of such bills have introduced significant differences to the ways things are done in Nigeria. First, there is the Secured Transactions in Moveable Assets Bill. This bill which was passed in May has created a new ‘specie’ of capital that can now be used in our financial system. With the bill, everyday Nigerians can now use invoices and receipts for loans and for creating working capital, the market woman can go to the registry and convert her receipts into loans or capital, formalizing transactions become more important and we now have more accessibility to loans that will encourage the informal sector to come into the formal sector – because more people will now be engaged in startups.

    Another significant bill is the Credit Bureau Services Bill passed in May. With the passage, the bill will help to reduce the risk of lending or engaging in business with individuals or companies with a financial history of not paying back. Also, it must be noted that credit reporting scheme reduces the risk of lending for everybody and reduces the potential for all the non-performing loans. The bill on its own is a fundamental behavior-changing bill. For employers, it cuts down the risk of employing people with questionable financial histories, while for banks and people that lend others money, it helps to show the pay-back record of the ‘borrower’.

    There is also the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill SB237 (passed May) which had been in the works since the Olusegun Obasanjo era but continued to meet dead walls until the Senate under the current leadership fashioned a pragmatic approach to its enactment and got it done. The bill aims to introduce new operational and fiscal terms for the management of the revenue that is accrued from the sector. It will allow the Nigerian government to retain a higher proportion of the revenue that is derived from oil industry operations. The bill will create a conducive business environment for petroleum operations and other SMEs, enhance the exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources for the benefit of Nigerians and provide for the inclusion of more local content in the petroleum industry.

    There is also the Customs Service Management Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) which scaled legislative hurdles and was passed June. It provides penalties for violation of customs and excise laws as it has significantly increases penalties for violations. It is argued that stiff penalties for infractions would help enforce compliance by traders. The bill provides an alignment with global best practice for Nigeria on trade facilitation, trade reviews and dispute resolution. It will help the Customs block leakages and generate revenue for the government and it can open and create more employment. Another inherent benefit of the bill is in the area of transparency and accountability: In the past, excise duties were fixed without reference to the National Assembly. Now, all such changes are backed by law, because a legislative framework that entrenches transparency and efficiency in our customs operations has been established.

    Then we must not forget the Witness Protection Bill, Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill and of course, the Whistle Blowers’ Protection Bill. The last bill, as a matter of fact, has enabled Nigeria to rake in billions of naira in public fund that would have gone into private pockets. It is perhaps the most celebrated bill today in Nigeria. These bills are 2017 bills.

    As the Senate President marks his 55th birthday, it is an opportunity to toast a dogged and focused politician, a great and reliable leader and mentor to many, a successful husband and father and above all, a true son of Ilorin.

     

    • Oba is Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State governor.
  • Court of Appeal Court orders Saraki’s trial on three counts 

    Court of Appeal Court orders Saraki’s trial on three counts 

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed Senate President Bukola Saraki’s acquittal of false assets declaration charges.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment by a three-man panel, led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe Wilson, ordered Saraki to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for the continuation of his trial.

    The court held that the prosecution led direct and credible evidence to establish a prima facie case against Saraki in three of the 18 counts contained in the charge for which he was tried.

    The counts on which Saraki is to enter defence are 4, 5 and 6 in relation to his alleged failure to declare some houses he acquired in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    In Count 4, Saraki is alleged to have falsified his Assets Declaration at the end of his tenure as Kwara State Governor in 2011 and on assumption of office as a senator in 2011 when he declared that he acquired No. 17A, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The prosecution contended that the defendant falsely declared that he had acquired No 17A, McDonald, Ikoyi on 6th September 2006 from the proceeds of sale of rice and sugar.

    In Count 5, he is also alleged to have falsified his Assets Declaration at the end of his tenure as Governor of Kwara State in 2011 and on assumption of office as a senator in 2011 when he declared that he acquired No. 17B, McDonald, Ikoyi Lagos.

    The prosecution contended that the defendant falsely declared to have acquired No. 17A, McDonald, Ikoyi on 6th September 2006 from proceeds of sale of rice and sugar.

    In Count 6, Saraki is accused of making a false declaration in the Assets Declaration Form at the end of tenure as governor in 2007 and on assumption of office as executive governor in 2007 when he failed to declare his outstanding loan liabilities of N315,054,355.92 out of the loan of N380,000,000 obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

    The CCT  on June 14, upheld Saraki’s no-case submission, discharged and acquitted him, a decision the Federal Government appealed.

    The Appeal Court, in its judgment yesterday, resolved four out of the five issues identified for determination in favour of the appellant.

    The court said the tribunal was wrong to have held that Saraki was not invited to make a statement in the course of investigating the allegations against him.

    It said the Senate President made a statement in the course of investigation, which was tendered and admitted by the tribunal as Exhibit 46.

    The appellate court also faulted the CCT’s decision that the joint investigation team constituted by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the allegations against Saraki was unknown to law.

    It said there was no law forbidding the CCB from collaborating with other investigating agencies of government to effectively discharge its mandate.

    The court also faulted the tribunal for holding that the prosecution failed to prove its case by not tendering the original copies of Saraki’s assets declaration forms and his statement.

    It said the certified true copies (CTC) of the forms and statement were sufficient under the law to be admitted as exhibits in favour of the prosecution.

    On whether the tribunal was right to have upheld Saraki’s no-case submission, the appellate court resolved the issue against Saraki.

    After a thorough analysis of the evidence led by the prosecution, the appellate court said the prosecution led credible and direct evidence in respect of three counts – 4, 5 and 6 – of the 18-count amended charge, to warrant his being called upon to enter his defence.

    The court said the prosecution was unable to discharge the burden of proof placed on him by the law in relation to counts 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18.

    It said some of the prosecution’s witnesses gave both oral and documentary hearsay evidence that are inadmissible in law. It also said the prosecution failed to call witnesses in relation to the 15 counts.

    For instance, the court noted that the prosecution, though accused Saraki of earning double salaries from the Kwara State Government and as a senator, it failed to call witnesses from the Kwara State Government and the National Assembly in support of the allegation.

    The court ordered that the case be remitted back to CCT for Saraki to enter his defence.

    Other members of the panel – Justices Tenimu Y. Hassan and M. Mustapha – agreed with the lead judgment by Justice Akomlafe-Wilson.

    A two-man panel of the CCT, headed by Danladi Umar, on June 14, 2017, upheld the no-case submission filed by Saraki after the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), closed its case after calling four witnesses and tendering 48 documentary exhibits.

    In upholding the no-case submission, the tribunal dismissed the amended 18 counts preferred against Saraki on the grounds that the prosecution, was unable to establish any prima facie case against the Senate President.

    Umar, in his lead ruling, exonerated Saraki, holding that failure of the prosecution to obtain his  statement and make it part of the proof of evidence was fatal to the case.

    He adjudged as “absurd” that neither Saraki’s statement nor the report of the investigation said to have been carried out was produced before the tribunal.

    He agreed with the defence team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN),  that the prosecution’s evidence had been manifestly discredited during cross-examination by the defence.

    He added that the evidence adduced by the prosecution, led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), was “so unreliable that no reasonable tribunal could convict” based on it.

    The tribunal chairman specifically noted that the third prosecution witness, Mr. Samuel Madojemu, who is Head, Intelligence Unit of the Code of Conduct Bureau, only gave hearsay evidence on the information the witness purportedly received from the EFCC.

    But the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, through  Jacobs, on June 20, filed a 17-ground notice of appeal against the CCT’s judgment.

    The Federal Government faulted all the grounds on which the CCT predicated Saraki’s acquittal, describing the entire judgment as unreasonable and unconstitutional.

    Jacobs subsequently filed an appellant’s brief on July 28, formulating five issues for determination.

    Saraki, through his lead counsel Agabi, also filed his respondent’s brief on August 22.

    While adopting his appellant’s brief on November 22, Jacobs urged the court to grant the Federal Government’s appeal and hold that the judgment of the CCT was perverse. He also reiterated that the CCT erred by adjudging the oral evidence of the prosecution’s third witness, Madojemu, the Head, Intelligence Unit of the CCB, as hearsay.

    I’ve been vindicated, says Senate President 

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday described the Court of Appeal verdict as a vindication for him.

    In a statement by his media adviser Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki expressed the belief that upholding a no-case-submission with regards to 15 of the 18-count charge confirmed his innocence.

    “At least, today’s judgment has confirmed the position of the Tribunal that the prosecution’s case was entirely based on hearsay, not on any concrete evidence.

    “The verdict of the Court of Appeal, just like that of the Tribunal before it, aligned with our position that the preposterous claims made during trial by the prosecution concerning operation of foreign accounts, making anticipatory declarations, collecting double salaries, owning assets beyond his income and failure to declare assets owned by companies in which the Senate President owns interests, among others, have fallen like a pack of cards and lack any basis.

    “On the remaining three counts, which really touch on two issues, referred back to the Tribunal for the Senate President’s defence, it should be noted that the Appellate Court only gave a summary of its decision today promising to provide the parties with Certified True Copies of the judgment soon. As soon as it makes the details of the judgment available, our lawyers will review the grounds of the decision and take appropriate action.

    “We remain convinced about the innocence of the Senate President on the three ( or two) counts because we believe the decision of the Court of Appeal is not consistent with the submissions made by both parties at the Tribunal. Thus, it is our view that that aspect of the judgment will not stand”.

    Saraki added that his confidence and faith in the nation’s judiciary and its ability to dispense justice to all manners of people remained unshaken.

     

  • Appeal Court verdict vindicated me – Saraki

    Appeal Court verdict vindicated me – Saraki

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said Tuesday’s verdict by the Court of Appeal freeing him from 15 of the 18 charges preferred against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) vindicated him.

    In a statement by his media adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki expressed the belief that the appellate court’s decision to uphold a no-case-submission on 15 of the 18 count charges confirmed his innocence.

    “At least, today’s judgement has confirmed the position of the tribunal that the prosecution’s case was entirely based on hearsay, not on any concrete evidence.

    “The verdict of the Court of Appeal, just like that of the tribunal before it, aligned with our position that the preposterous claims made during trial by the prosecution concerning operation of foreign accounts, making anticipatory declarations, collecting double salaries, owning assets beyond his income and failure to declare assets owned by companies in which the Senate President owns interests, among others, have fallen like a pack of cards and lack any basis.

    “On the remaining three counts, which really touch on two issues, referred back to the tribunal for the Senate President’s defence, it should be noted that the Appellate Court only gave a summary of its decision today promising to provide the parties with Certified True Copies of the judgment soon. As soon as it makes the details of the judgement available, our lawyers will review the grounds of the decision and take appropriate action.

    “We remain convinced about the innocence of the Senate President on the three ( or two) counts because we believe the decision of the Court of Appeal is not consistent with the submissions made by both parties at the tribunal. Thus, it is our view that that aspect of the judgment will not stand.”

    Saraki added that his confidence and faith in the nation’s judiciary and its ability to dispense justice to all manners of people remained unshaken.

  • False assets declaration: Appeal Court reverses Saraki’s acquittal

    False assets declaration: Appeal Court reverses Saraki’s acquittal

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the acquittal of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over his trial for alleged false assets declaration.
    The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment of a three-man panel, led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe Wilson, ordered Saraki to return to the CCT for the continuation of his trial for false asset declaration.
    The court held that the prosecution was able to establish a prima facie case against Saraki in three of the 18 counts brought against him.
    The counts on which Saraki is to enter defence before the CCT, at the resumption of trial, are 4, 5 and 6 in relation to his alleged failure to declare some houses he acquired in Ikoyi, Lagos.
    The CCT had on June 14 this year upheld Saraki’s no-case submission and discharged and acquitted him.
    The Appeal Court, in its judgment, ordered that the case be remitted back to CCT for Saraki to enter his defence.
    ‎Details later
  • Saraki, Shettima on Jonathan

    Saraki, Shettima on Jonathan

    IN their brief addresses at a book presentation in Abuja two Thursdays ago, both Senate President Bukola Saraki and Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, made very unflattering remarks about ex-president Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership style and quality. “No matter what you say about him,” began Dr Saraki sanctimoniously, “I don’t think he was someone who was desperate for power. (But) he was not someone that was prepared for leadership.” He illustrated his conclusions with two personal recollections on business and politics, both suggesting that Dr Jonathan was obtuse in his handling of the economy and incomparably and incomprehensibly indulgent in his politics. But in drawing these conclusions, Dr Saraki inadvertently betrayed his own instinctively realpolitik approach to governance and politics.

    Governor Shettima was even more scathing and unsparing. Said he: “This is the second book I am reading on the Jonathan saga. I think President Jonathan is essentially a decent person, an unsophisticated country politician caught up in the vortex of power politics in Nigeria…If you look at Obasanjo, hate him or love him, you have to respect Obasanjo for not only believing in the Nigerian project but by surrounding himself with men of quality.” The governor was, however, not through with the former president. He added, with his sometimes patrician candidness, that the president was an “unsophisticated dash dash dash (the word he used is too trenchant to be repeated here). Obviously, the Borno governor is still too angry over the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction saga to allow himself a little sober reflection on Dr Jonathan’s presidency.

    In the remarks of the senate president and governor is located the unmistakeable leitmotif. Both politicians believe Dr Jonathan was unqualified to be president. In addition, except Gov Shettima who somewhat seemed to think the world of ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo, both agreed that Nigerian leaders assumed office unprepared. Until they expressly indicate otherwise, it is safe to assume that both politicians, one of whom Dr Jonathan’s man, Reno Omokri, described as a sycophant, really think that so far no Nigerian leader had assumed the presidency possessing the style, depth and character required of the leader of the most populous black nation on earth. It will be good to engage the two gentlemen and grill them on the subject of leadership over which they pontificate so glibly, and on the character, intuition and intellect leaders need to have to govern well, over which they also seemed to glide very effortlessly.

    Mr Abdullahi’s book, “On a Platter of Gold: How Jonathan won and lost Nigeria”, should have afforded both the senate president and former governor the opportunity to critically interrogate the components of great leadership. Instead, at least judging by newspaper reports of the book presentation, they seemed to have limited themselves essentially to passing judgement on Dr Jonathan’s style and, to some extent, his presidency. Perhaps in the coming years, the eminent zoologist, and now statesman as he likes to see himself, will give Nigeria the benefit of his memoires. In it he will hopefully attempt to give some answers and explanations to many of the very difficult puzzles that confronted him in office. Even then, he is unlikely to satisfy everybody, for the puzzles are many, difficult indeed, and incredibly perplexing.

    The most salient question needing an answer was not how Dr Jonathan’s lack of preparedness and poor qualification undermined his own presidency, but why from the very beginning to the present day no Nigerian leader, military or civilian, came into office prepared. Obviously there is a missing link somewhere, a link not attenuated by free election or the searing passion of a military coup d’etat. The circumstances behind the assumption of office of these rulers and leaders are diverse. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was duly elected, but there was nothing he did or said as prime minister that gave any indication he was prepared for office. In fact the irony of the First Republic is that the regions seemed to have had better leadership than the centre. President Muhammadu Buhari often likes to give the impression he came in prepared. But thirty years out of power neither equipped him for the complexities and difficulties of the modern era nor helped him to reflect on and fine-tune his style and vision. Between the two — the very first and the current — Nigeria has had the undistinguished honour of welcoming and tolerating a slew of poorly prepared rulers and megalomaniacs, of which admittedly Dr Jonathan was the archetype.

    Indeed, Dr Jonathan was merely the manifestation of a deep-seated national problem that is partly structural and cultural. Until those problems are addressed, with the requisite wisdom and courage the circumstances demand, the appalling merry-go-round and submission to mediocrity will continue. Nigeria is multicultural; it need not also be multi-structural in order to avert the crises and dissonance that have subverted its political, social and economic operations. Neither Dr Saraki nor Gov Shettima spoke to these underlying problems. Like most Nigerian politicians and leaders, they found it easier and even appealing to gloss over the country’s structural and cultural anomalies while emphasising the idiosyncratic and undisputed failings of Dr Jonathan. Nigeria’s structural problems are real. So, too, is its mystifying cultural malaise, with a part of the country hanging precariously on a theocratic abyss, and another part on unregulated permissiveness masquerading as liberalism. This explanation in part illustrates very vividly why it seems pernicious gangs of cabals hold the country hostage.

    It is not surprising that for more than five decades the country has been sandwiched between accidental rulers and incompetent leaders. There is not one elected president who came in prepared, and not one military ruler who had a definite idea of what he wanted to do beyond articulating his remonstrances against the previous regime’s policies. Even as recent as the Fourth Republic, the return of Chief Obasanjo was entirely the handiwork of cabalistic generals who were themselves untutored about the country’s needs, unmindful of the complexities of modern politics and governance, and visionless about the country’s future. In turn, Chief Obasanjo, himself perhaps the greatest apostle of ad hocism, and still remorselessly steeped in the old ways of doing things, arrogated to himself the task of foisting a successor on the country along his fractured worldview.

    It is that discredited and fractured worldview, often regurgitated by some governors who insist they know those who would not succeed them, that produced the late Umaru Yar’Adua and, inexorably, the subject of Dr Saraki’s and Gov Shettima’s imponderable putdown, Dr Jonathan. And as Dr Saraki said in his remarks at the book presentation, those who voted Dr Jonathan into office were also complicit in the crises the country has been facing since then. But the same Nigerians, overwhelmed by the common and retrogressive features and strictures of Nigerian politics and society, voted President Buhari into office, and seem even prepared to repeat the same electoral perversion of ignoring the huge failings of their leaders.

    It is clear Nigeria’s progress will continue to be circumscribed as long as no bright and brave politician boldly offers himself for leadership. Something simply must be done about the country’s structural and cultural anomalies. Gov Shettima may be mean to Dr Jonathan, and Dr Saraki imperious; but President Buhari is really not substantially any better than his predecessors. Indeed, contrary to what the governor and the senate president think, whoever wins in 2019 is unlikely to be any better, let alone offer the country the real change needed to forge a speedy entry into the First World. They are simply too incapable of the depth of understanding and visioning required to foster a rapid and lasting transformation of the country.

  • Senate probe alleged human rights abuses by SARS

    Senate probe alleged human rights abuses by SARS

    The Senate, on Monday, asked its ad-hoc committee on Review of National Security Infrastructure to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ).

    Senator Ahmed Lawan led committee was mandated to probe and make relevant recommendations and revert to the Senate.

    The resolution followed a Point of Oder by Senator Isa Hamma Misau (Bauchi Central).‎

    Misau noted that that in line with the Police Act and Regulation, the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, (Force CID) is the highest investigative arm of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

    He said, “For effective and efficient administration, the department is divided into 14 sections for which the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is one of them. The squad is supposed to be a section in each state command CID with sole responsibility of handling armed robbery cases and answerable to the state commissioner for police.

    “I have in the last few months received several petitions from my constituency both online and personally against SARS on violence from extra judicial killing, brutality, torture, arrest for bribe and other menacing conduct by the men of the unit.”

    The Bauchi Central lawmaker noted that findings showed that the incidences were not isolated, as many people had been sharing their experiences online on the inhuman treatment they received from operatives of SARS.

    He added: “We are a civilised society. The majority of the Nigeria Police is manned by men and women of great integrity, discipline and commitment. However, this unit is not one of them. It is dangerous for us to have a unit of the police force to act as if it is above the law and empowered to so behave.”

    Read Also: Our ordeal with SARS – Nigerians

    He prayed his colleagues to take stand to end SARS or make a way for a more civilised unit that would be built around the rule of law and human rights observance.

    “I am aware that in 2015, the then Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase had due to incessant reports of abuses by the Force, split SARS into two units with a view to check human rights abuses. This indeed was by ensuring that officers cannot make arrest and investigate the same case.”

    Misau, however, said the abuses had continued irrespective of the minor reforms by the former police boss. He said the Nigeria Police had a major obligation to ensure the protection of human rights in all the states of the federation.

    “The Senate ought to prevent and investigate corruption or misconduct by law enforcement officers and provide accountability for the exercise of their powers.

    “I call on this chamber to mandate the adhoc committee on security to investigate this issue of human rights abuses by SARS and make relevant recommendations,” he added.

    Senate President,Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in his remarks, said that it was appropriate for the matter to be referred to the committee for consideration.

    Saraki said, “It is clear that something wrong is going on and needs urgent attention. It is happening in all our constituencies. We must be seen to be responsive to some of these needs,” Saraki said.

  • Saraki intervenes in Kwara poly fee hike crisis

    Saraki intervenes in Kwara poly fee hike crisis

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has intervened in the alleged tuition hike crisis in the Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

    The school management has insisted it did not increase the tuition but students continue to protest, alleging “outrageous increment in tuition”.

    Saraki, in a statement, agreed with the students, saying information at his disposal showed an upward review of the tuition.

    He urged students and parents to remain calm, assuring them that the government will revisit the issue.

    “Just this morning, students from my constituency sent me details of the fees that the registrar released for the 2017/2018 academic session through Whatsapp.

    “After reviewing it, I found out that there has been a deliberate attempt to confuse and mislead the government and the public.

    “It is obvious that a second year student in 2017/18 session is expected to pay N20,000 more than second year students paid in the 2016/17 session. This is contrary to claims contained in the statement released by the institution last week.

    “With the present economic situation, this increment is unacceptable. I stand by my earlier position that education must be affordable for every willing citizen, because it is the bedrock of development. Any increment in the fees must be stopped now.

    “I appeal to the students and their families to remain calm. I am sure the government will revisit this issue.

    “Thank you to all the students who spoke with me on the phone this morning and helped to provide additional insight on this issue.”

     

  • Ahmed, Saraki mourn industrialist Adesoye

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has mourned the late industrialist and educationist, Chief Emmanuel Adesoye, who died last Saturday. He was 79.

    Governor Ahmed, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, said the state lost an industrialist, philanthropist and administrator plenipotentiary.

    The statement reads: “The late Adesoye contributed immensely to the industrial development of the state and Nigeria. As the first northern Nigerian student to qualify as a Quantity Surveyor, and the second Nigerian to attain that height, Chief Adesoye would be missed for his boldness, intelligence and charisma, which endeared him, not only to the people of Offa, but to everyone that crossed his path.

    “May his soul, and those before him, find rest and may God grant his families and friends the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has also expressed grief.

    Saraki, in a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said: “Chief Adesoye was one leader, whose lifestyle of simplicity, compassion and hard work will remain unmatched. Adesoye College, which he established, is a living testimony of his passion to free humanity from the clutches of ignorance.

    “Besides, through his confectionery industry, the popular Okin Biscuits, he fed the hungry and ensured that thousands of Nigerians were employed, either as direct workers in the company, wholesalers or retailers of his product. His visionary leadership and initiative in lifting humanity are worthy of emulation.”

    Saraki prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his loved ones the grace to bear the loss.

    Adesoye, the Asiwaju of Offa died in the early hours of yesterday at his Offa home.

    He was said to have been managing an undisclosed ailment for some time.

    The deceased was the manufacturer of Okin Biscuit and Okin Foam.

    He also acquired Kwara Breweries in Ijagbo from the state.

    Adesoye was proprietor of Adesoye College, Offa, a pioneer international secondary school in Nigeria.