The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Saraki

  • Saraki tasks security agents on strong institutions

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on the security agencies in the country to work towards ensuring stronger national institutions that could guarantee the survival of the nation’s democracy.

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sanni Onogu, Saraki made the call while receiving members of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) Nine of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS), Abuja, in his office.

    The statement quoted Saraki as saying that any society where laws are not enforced or people made to account for their actions would end up with weakened institutions.

    He said the delegation could not have come at a better time than now when the present administration was making efforts to address the myriad of security and economic challenges confronting the country.

    Saraki said, “The need to strengthen our institutions cannot be over-emphasised as it is a cardinal aspect for the sustenance of democracy and development.

    “Challenges that arise as a result of weak institutions are – reduced motivation and productivity, loss of organizational purpose, dysfunctional government budgets, abuse of public office and corruption.

    “The weakening of government institutions has thrived mainly because of the ineffectiveness of responsible authorities to enforce our laws and hold people accountable for their actions.

    “On the other hand, when institutions are strengthened, we would witness higher economic, political and social development.”

  • Suspend Saraki, not me – Marafa

    Suspend Saraki, not me – Marafa

    Moves by the leadership of the Senate to suspend Zamfara senator, Kabiru Marafa, may generate intense heat as the upper legislative chamber reconvenes on Tuesday.

    Pique by what it described as Marafa’s disparaging press interviews in recent times, the Senate leadership last week, mooted the idea to suspend the lawmaker for a period of time.

    But in a reaction on Sunday, Marafa said rather than suspending him, it is the President of the Senate,  Bukola Saraki that should be suspended.

    At a press briefing in Abuja, Marafa said nobody in the Senate can suspend him, saying there was no offensive remarks in the said interviews he granted the press.

    He said, “Nobody, I repeat, nobody in that Senate, can suspend me over those remarks I made in the said interviews. Rather, it is the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, that should be suspended by the Senate for turning things up side down within the last eight months from forgery of Standing Orders to illegally increasing the number of standing committees in the senate from 57 to 65 with attendant violation of ranking rules in their compositions.

    “And above all, refusing to resign as Senate President in the face of his trial for corruption charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and invariably battering the image of the Senate.

    “Saraki should remember that when the issue first came up in August or September last year, but we didn’t tell him to resign. So he cannot by whatever means now, gag us and gag our mouths

    “The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives us the right to say our opinions, to air our views and nobody can deny us that.”

    The senator linked the controversy generated by the alleged missing 2016 Budget to machinations by “fifth columnists” operating on behalf of the Senate President.

    He continued, “These fifth columnists were shouting at different times that the budget was missing, the budget had been doctored, the budget was padded and that it could no longer be passed as earlier planned.

    “Honestly speaking if am to comment on the controversy that has been trailing the 2016 budget in the Senate, I will say it is all the work of the fifth columnists there.

    “You remember we woke up after 15 days or so of the receipt of the budget in the National Assembly. We woke up one day and the Senate President just came and said there was no budget, that the budget was stolen, thus embarrassing everybody. But the following day, the Speaker came out to say the budget was not stolen.

    “Next, they said the budget was doctored, next they said the budget was padded, next they said there were discrepancies all over the place.

    “We knew how they came into the leadership of the National Assembly or the Senate. Was it a coincidence that the issue of padding and everything just came up after the Supreme Court told Saraki to go and face your trial?”

     

  • Court to open hearing on March 1 in Saraki’s fresh suit against trial at CCT

    Court to open hearing on March 1 in Saraki’s fresh suit against trial at CCT

    Justice Abdulkadir Abdukafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja has fixed March 1 for hearing in a fresh suit with which Senate President, Bukola Saraki seeks to stop his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    Although the suit – a fundamental rights enforcement application – was filed late last year, Saraki did not pursue the case, while he awaited the outcome of his appeal, on the same issue, before the Supreme Court.

    On February 5, the Supreme Court dismissed Saraki’s appeal, therefore clearing the ways for the resumption of his trial on false asset declaration charges before the CCT. The CCT ha fixed March 10 for the resumption of his trial.

    Rather than submit himself for trial at the CCT, Saraki has now reverted to his earlier abandoned suit before the Federal High Court.

    Moves by Saraki’s lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede to have the case heard yesterday failed as Justice Abdukafarati note that th case was not listed for hearing, but fo repor of service.

    Federal Government’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) argue against th hearing of th case yesterday on th ground that issues relating to service of the plaintiffs originating processes had had not been sorted out.

    “Apart from the issue of service, the issue of whether the defendants were served with the hearing notice to enable them to be aware of today’s proceedings, is still an issue,” Jacobs said.

    Jacobs also drew the court’s attention to the need to amend the plaintiff’s originating processes in view of the fact th 11the respondent, a former official of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Muslim Hassan, who signed the charge against Saraki before the CCT, has been appointed a judge of th Federal High Court.

    Although Oluyede argued against any amendment, insisting it would cause a delay in the case, Justice Abdukafarati struck out Hassan’s name from the case an ordered Oluyede to amend his processes to reflect the current position in the case.

    Th judge said it would be neater should Oluyede amend his client’s documents to reflect changes in th status of any of the respondents.

    The respondents to the suit include, Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent  Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase.

    Others are the Code of Conduct  Bureau, the CCT; the CCT chairman, Umar; the second member of the CCT panel, Mr. Ataedzeagu Adza, CCB chairman, Mr. Sam Saba; Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Diri; and a Deputy Director in the ministry, Mr. Muslim Hassan (now a judge of the Federal High Court).

    Jacobs represented the AGF, the EFCC, the IGP, Diri and Hassan on Thursday.

  • Saraki canvasses patronage for local auto manufacturer 

    Saraki canvasses patronage for local auto manufacturer 

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has urged the three arms of government to ensure the success of indigenous manufacturers as a way of rebuilding the economy and providing employment for the youth population.

    A statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sani Onogu, said Saraki made the call while receiving a delegation from Innoson Motor Manufacturing Company, Nnewi, led by the founder, Chief Innocent Chukwuma.

    It further urged government to use legislative actions and policy initiatives to protect local industries as a deliberate way of reviving the economy.

    According to him, government should introduce policies geared towards boosting local industries through patronage by government agencies.

    “That is why this eighth Senate is determined to amend the Procurement Law to ensure that government agencies patronise made in Nigeria products. I am sure the House of Representatives is in support of this.

     

    According to him, using laws to protect locally made goods is not peculiar to Nigeria, stressing that a similar thing was done in the United States under President Herbert Hoover in 1933 while India and China have also enacted similar laws in the past.

    He lamented a situation where a company like Innoson only sold about 3,000 units of vehicles in 2015 when Nigerians buy about a million vehicles annually, adding that If Nigerians patronise made in Nigeria, cars it will force foreign manufacturers to set up plants in Nigeria.

     

  • Saraki’s trial resumes March 10

    Saraki’s trial resumes March 10

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has fixed March 10 for the resumption of the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    Saraki was arraigned before the tribunal last year on a 13-count charge of alleged false declaration of assets.

    Proceedings in the case were stalled by an appeal Saraki filed at the Supreme Court to challenge the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

    The apex court on February 5 dismissed the appeal and directed the Senate president to submit himself for trial.

     

  • Germany to support Nigeria on terrorism, anti- corruption

    Germany to support Nigeria on terrorism, anti- corruption

    The German government has indicated its willingness to support Nigeria’s efforts in counter terrorism and anti- corruption.

    The commitment was made on Thursday by the German President, Joachim Gauck, when he led some investors on a visit to the leadership of the National Assembly.

    “We believe that terror would not be defeated with military might alone. The Nigerian government needs to further foster good governance and ensure the prospect of a better future for all its citizens,” Gauck said.

    The German President was also quoted to have said that Nigeria currently has over two million internally displaced persons in various camps in the Northeast party of the country.

    He stressed the need for support and reintegration of the IDPs, adding that the problem could be effectively tackled through the rebuilding of infrastructure like schools and healthcare facilities in the affected areas.

    A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Mr. Sani Onogu, added that provision of such infrastructure would go a long way in giving hope to the displaced persons.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki had earlier pleaded with the German leader and the European Union to assist Nigeria in counter terrorism and resettlement of the army of IDPs.

    “Our country is presently experiencing the challenges of global terrorism. Notwithstanding the significant victories we have recorded, Boko Haram has continued to pose colossal national and regional security challenge.

    “We have a lot to learn from Germany and to gain from stronger Nigeria-Germany relation in this regard. So we call on the German government and the EU to lend us their unflinching support and solidarity in order for us to fully eliminate terrorism from the sub region.

    “I believe that every effort in this area is a paramount investment as the regional stability, security and development is tied to achieving global peace. We urge you to particularly help us return our Internally Displaced Persons back to their homes and fully reintegrate them into the society,” Saraki stated.

     

  • Saraki won’t resign unless convicted, says Senate leader

    Saraki won’t resign unless convicted, says Senate leader

    Senate Leader Ali Ndume has said Senate President Bukola Saraki will not step down unless convicted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    He spoke yesterday with State House correspondents after leading senators to a meeting with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The Senate leader noted that it would be hasty to condemn the Senate president before the outcome of the tribunal’s trial since he had not been found guilty.

    Ndume said the meeting with the Acting President was not to find a political solution to the travail of the Senate president but to solidarise with Osinbajo.

    Asked on the possibility of Nigerians seeing his visit to the Villa as one to seek political solution to Saraki’s travail, he said: “It is not new for people to read meaning. Are you saying that the Senate president should be convicted before the trial? In our constitution, you are considered innocent until proved guilty.”

    Speaking on the reason for their visit, he said: “This government is our government. I am the Senate leader, so my coming here today is not supposed to be a new thing. My coming here should be more regular.

    “This is not the first time we are coming here. But this is the first time we are having the Vice President as Acting President. That is one of the reasons why we are here.

    “This is because we are setting a new example. During the previous government, the President will just go and leave the place,” he said

    Continuing, he said: “But this time around when our President went for a few days, he transmitted to Nigerians that the Vice President is to act as the President. So we came for regular consultation. There is nothing new about it and we will be doing more of this.

    “You should expect me to be coming here. Now, we have the budget as work in progress; we have the Money Laundering Bill before the Senate, we have many things we are looking at. We have come and consult on these.”

    Among those who accompanied Ndume were Dino Melaye and Abdullahi Adamu.

     

  • AGF to CCT: Pick a date for resumption of Saraki’s trial

    AGF to CCT: Pick a date for resumption of Saraki’s trial

    The Office of the Attorney General of the federation (AGF) has asked the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to pick a date for resumption of trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    Saraki is facing a 13-count charge for allegedly falsifying his asset declaration when he was governor of Kwara State.

    The case was stalled by an appeal the Senate president filed at the Supreme Court to challenge the tribunal’s jurisdiction on the matter.

    However, the apex court on Friday last week dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

    The AGF’s request for a trial date is informed by the court’s decision.

     

  • Saraki backs labour on tariff reversal

    Saraki backs labour on tariff reversal

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday threw the weight of the National Assembly behind the organised labour in the quest to ensure the reversal of the increase in electricity tariff.

    He said improvement in power generation and supply should not be done at the detriment of the masses.

    Saraki spoke just as organised labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said that they might be forced to resort to self help to force a reversal of the increase in electricity tariff, saying Nigerians could not continue to pay for what they did not consume.

    The Senate President, who spoke when he received protesting members of the organised labour and their civil society allies led by NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba at the National Assembly, said the lawmakers had earlier expressed concern over the increase in electricity tariff.

    He added that the National Assembly would stand with the Nigerian people and ensure that no policy would make life unpalatable for them.

    Pledging that the National Assembly would engage the Executive on the issue with a view to finding an amicable solution to it, the Senate President said there was need for wide consultation before decisions are taken on such issues that affects the welfare of the people.

    He said: “We are here to serve the Nigerian people. I want to assure you that the 8th National Assembly is for the people. Even before now, we have observed that this issue of tariff increase and some of the policies were not palatable. We have summoned the NERC, even before now.

    “We are with you, we will stand with you and ensure that no policy will in any way exist that is not palatable to the Nigerian people. Yes, we all want power, yes, we want improvement, but not at the detriment of the masses.”

    NLC President Comrade Ayuba Wabba told the National Assembly leadership that due consultation was not carried out as stipulated by law before the increase in tariff was announced.

    He pointed out that five years after the privatization of the power sector, Nigerians have continued to pay for darkness.

    Wabba said that the memorandum of understanding signed during the privatization of the power sector gave the Distribution companies 18 months to make electricity meters available to Nigerians.

    He said: “Governance is about the good of the people, the welfare of the people. The company was privatized five years ago and we expect that by now, they must have added value to the system. But instead of adding value, what we have seen is trying to exploit Nigerians by increasing tariff.”

    He added: “We are here so that there can be an engagement on how this issue can be reviewed. We are asking that there must be meters in every household that consume electricity. We are also saying that this tariff must be halted until due consultations is made and the views of Nigerians is taken into consideration.”

     

     

  • Call for Saraki’s resignation premature, mischievous – Senate

    The Senate on Monday asked Nigerians to ignore those calling for the immediate resignation of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    Saraki is standing trial for allegedly falsifying his asset declaration while he was governor of Kwara State.

    His bid to quash the trial was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Friday.

    The upper chamber described as premature, mischievous and unwarranted the campaign for Saraki’s resignation especially when he had not been convicted by the CCT.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said this in a statement  titled: “CCT vs Saraki: Our stand remains the Same.”

    Abdullahi insisted that there was no basis for Saraki to resign until after the matter has been decided in that final judicial forum.

    He reiterated that the fundamental principle in “our legal system is that a defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty,” adding that “ we have decided to patiently observe the proceedings until the case runs its full circle in the nation’s final judicial forum.”

    Abdullahi said the resolution to continue supporting Saraki was taken at a meeting on Sunday

    The Senators, he said, believed that the case against the Senate President was politically motivated.

    The statement reads in part, “Following a meeting held in Abuja yesterday (Sunday) by some Senators and the wide consultations with our colleagues in which we reviewed last Friday’s decision of the Supreme Court in the appeal on the preliminary matters filed by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on the charges filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), we hereby resolve as follows:

    “That from the beginning of the trial last September, we have declared that this case is not about any fight against corruption. It is simply a case of political vendetta.

    “Our position remains the same. We still believe that the case is politically motivated.

    “We also noted that the decision of the Supreme Court given last Friday was on preliminary matters arising from the commencement of the trial.

    “The trial proper is yet to begin. And since the fundamental principle in our legal system is that a defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty, we have decided to patiently observe the proceedings until the case runs its full circle in the nation’s final judicial forum.

    “It is on this ground that we want to state categorically that there is no basis for the call on the Senate President to resign until after the matter is decided in that final judicial forum. Such a call at this time is premature, mischievous and unwarranted.”