The Media Office of the Senate President has denied reports that Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was attacked at the Eid Prayer Ground on Thursday during the prayers to mark the Eid-el-Kabir in Ilorin, Kwara State.
In a statement by the Media Adviser, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the office said the report was ” totally false and a figment of the imagination of those behind the story because the protest was never targeted at him, neither was any missile hurled at him.”
” The Senate President arrived at the venue this morning without any incident, prayed with other Muslim faithful, including the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness (HRH), Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ali Ahmad and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Alfa Belgore, among others.
” Before the Senate President left the prayer ground, he spoke to reporters who had asked him about his message for Nigerians to mark the Eid-el-Kabir.
” We want to say that nothing can be further from the truth as the Senate President was never attacked nor was there any attempt made on his life to warrant him being ‘whisked away’ as reported by a section of the media.
” We however observe that there was a protest allegedly staged by local government employees over purported non-payment of salaries which hoodlums attempted to hijacked but this development was immediately curtailed by security agents.
” Therefore, to say that the Senate President was attacked at the venue of the prayers is The Kwara State Government has since issued a statement in which it stated that majority of the workers in the state have received their salaries and that those yet to receive theirs will do so on Monday as Thursday and Friday of this week are public holidays.”
Tag: Saraki
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‘Saraki not attacked’
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Angry worshippers attack Saraki, Emir, ex-Minister, dignitaries
Angry worshippers on Thursday attacked the President of the Senate, Dr. Olubukola Saraki , the Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, and many political figures at the Eid Praying Ground in Ilorin in protest against the state of the economy of Kwara.
The Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alh. Muhammadu Bashir was not spared the wrath of the protesters.
Others who were victims of the spontaneous mob action were ex- Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad, ex-Speaker Razak Atunwa( now a member of the House of Representatives) Rep Amuda Kannike, a former National Chairman of the PDP, Alh. Kawu Baraje, the Taliban of Ilorin, Prof. Oba Abdulraheem, members of the State House of Assembly, all the Baloguns, Magajis and prominent leaders in Ilorin Emirate.
The protesters were said to be angry because of non-utilization of the bail out funds given to the state by the Federal Government to offset workers’ salaries.
They alleged that the bail out funds were used to offset the bill incurred on crowning Saraki as the President of the Senate.
Although the prayer was fixed for 10am, there was tension as early as 8am at the Eid Praying Ground.
It was evident that most worshippers were out for showdown because initial sermon segment of the Sallah celebration fell on deaf ears.[ad id=”403656″]As Saraki and others arrived the praying ground, there was intermittent shout of “Ole! Ole!! Ole!!!(Thief, thief, thief).
Others were shouting “Ebi n pa wa!” “Ebi yii tito Saraki!””A o ki run, e fun wa lounje”( We are hungry, enough of hunger Saraki, give us food, teach us how to fish.”
The thunderous vituperations were hardly subsided when stones and missiles were thrown at the dignitaries.
The police, security agents, and members of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, battled spiritedly to curtail the protesters who remained defiant.
There were sporadic firing of teargas canisters by the police and security agents.
After about 30-minute protest, temporary calm was restored which gave way for the observance of the two Nafilats( prayers).
But as the dignitaries were filing out , the protesters started hurling missiles again.
As at press time, there was tension in Saraki’s camp over who was responsible for the attack.
Ahmed, who was probably aware of security reports, went to Share, his hometown, to observe the prayers.
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Saraki, Aregbesola, Shettima preach fear of God at Sallah
Senate President Bukola Saraki, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his Borno State counterpart, Kashim Shettima have urged Nigerians to allow God’s fear guide their dealings.
Saraki felicitated with the Muslim faithful on this year’s celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and urged Nigerians to make the fear of God the foundation for their lives.
He noted that with fear of Allah, mutual respect and love, “we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation. We cannot achieve much with unnecessary factions and disharmony. What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era”.
He also called on all Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect adding that these virtues are the panacea to move the nation forward.
Saraki said: “We have herculean tasks to address. Our army of unemployed graduates and youths are hovering on the street. Insecurity is threatening the peace and social development of our dear nation, quality health care services and economic buoyancy are major challenges that require urgent attention.
“I am very optimistic that with our collective efforts, these challenges are surmountable and we will soon overcome,” Saraki stated.
The Senate President however used the occasion to call on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity.
Saraki charged Muslims to continue to pray for the government, the Military and other agencies in the fight against insurgency adding that the peace and socio-economic development of our nation remain paramount.
He pledged the continuous support and encouragement of the Senate in putting Nigeria back on the right track.
Aregebsola said: “With the drums of war and violence resonating in all corners of the world, Nigeria must do everything humanly possible to douse the tension in the North-East and other parts before it escalates into full blown war and spread to other parts of the country.
“No nation can isolate itself from the current global crises – social, religious, political, economic and human – daily staring us in the eyes.
“What we need as a matter of necessity is to have a clean break with the systems that have failed us or retarded our growth as a nation; rethink and chat a new course for our greatness.
“This is the fulcrum upon which President Muhammad Buhari based his government. Nigerians in whatever capacity we can function must identify with the new government and support it for the betterment of our ‘self’ and the nation at large.
“The better time to promote love, tolerance, and spread the message of peace is during festive periods like this.
“I call on Muslims in Osun and the entire Nigerian Muslim ummah to seize the opportunity of the Eid to reach out to peoples of different faiths with greetings and messages of love and peace.
“Without peace and love, no nation unites and no nation attains greatness in an atmosphere of disunity singing discordant tunes.”
Shettima’s statement reads: “If we examine the Eid-Il-Fitr, we will notice three key lessons: faith, sacrifice and selflessness, all of which were exhibited by our noble Prophet Ibrahim (Alaihi Salam) whose level of faith was well acknowledged by the Holy Quran and the Bible as well. In obedience to Allah’s command, Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) was ready to slaughter the only son he got at very old age which showed uncommon faith.
“The son, Prophet Ismail (Alaihi Salam) was also willing to be slaughtered in obedience to his father and that showed sacrifice. For Allah’s intervention by ordering Prophet Ibrahim to slaughter a ram instead, Muslims now emulate that by sacrificing ram in the Eid-Il-Kabir and in doing that, Muslims part with their funds to buy rams and make sacrifices to demonstrate faith and a portion meat from sacrifices are meant to be shared to the needy by way of selflessness.
“For me, the whole lessons in this Sallah are perfect for us to remember the manner in which our soldiers in the military, police men and women, men of the DSS, Customs, Immigration, Civil Defence, Civilian JTF and hunters gave their own lives mainly to keep Nigerians safe and to secure Nigerian territories.”
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Ex-Minister urges Saraki to resign
A former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi, has urged the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki to resign for alleged false declaration of assets.
Saraki is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for allegedly making false declaration of assets under oath while he was governor of Kwara State from 2003 to 2011.
Gbagi, who addressed journalists at his Asokoro, Abuja, residence on Wednesday, said if Saraki cherished his honour, dignity and integrity, he would not stay a day longer in office.
He said, “The mere fact that the Senate President has lied by doing anticipatory declaration means he has no business being in office and living on tax payers’ money.
[ad id=”403656”]”First Nigerians will not have faith in anything that comes out of a Senate that is presided over by him. The entire international community will not believe in the passage of any bill under his leadership.
“If you ask me, I will say it is in his own interest to resign because it is no longer business as usual.”
Gbagi faulted the support and solidarity being given to Saraki by some senators, saying they wanted to hijack the reins of government and hold the government to ransom.
The former minister observed that false declaration of assets is a very serious offence that attracts stiff penalties in advanced democracies.
“The only reason why America is still a country today is that no matter who you are, once you crossed the rules of the law, you must pay for it. Until we get to that level, we are just wasting our time.
“First and foremost, Saraki cannot be sitting there as Senate President because whatever he does will question the integrity of the entire Senate.”
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Saraki urges fear of God at Eid-el-Kabir
President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has urged Muslim faithful and the citizenry in general, to make the fear of God the foundation of their lives.
Saraki, in a goodwill message on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir, said the event symbolised the fear of Allah and the desire of man to always comply with the wish of his creator. This, he said, was exemplified by the life of Prophet Ibrahim.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President stated reasons why the fear of God must reign supreme.
“With the fear of Allah, mutual respect and love, we will tolerate one another, work together and be able to harness our abundant resources as a progressive nation.
“We cannot achieve much with unnecessary frictions and disharmony. What Nigerians need now is to move forward with the present change era,” Saraki said.
He also called on Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of love, tolerance and mutual respect, adding that these virtues are the panacea to move the nation forward.
Saraki continued, “We have herculean tasks to address. Our army of unemployed graduates and youths are hovering on the street.
“Insecurity is threatening the peace and social development of our dear nation, quality health care services and economic buoyancy are major challenges that require urgent attention.
“I am very optimistic that with our collective efforts, these challenges are surmountable and we will soon overcome.”
The Senate President called on all arms of government not to rest on their oars in the onerous task of building a formidable nation where all Nigerians will live in peace and prosperity.
[ad id=”403656”]He urged the Muslim community to continue to pray for the government, the military and other security agencies in the fight against insurgency.
He stressed that peace and socio-economic development of the nation remained paramount.
On behalf of the Senate, Saraki pledged the lawmakers’ continuous support and encouragement towards putting the nation on the right track.
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Saraki…docked
Senate President pleads
not guiltyTribunal fixes Oct. 21 for hearing
WHO SAID WHAT
The Judiciary saved the nation …One can just imagine what would have happened if there were contradictory decisions by the courts
—ProsecutionI am puzzled why I should be before the tribunal. I thought that the…Bureau should have first called on me, according to the…law. —Saraki
The defendant…must enter the dock and take his plea, and thereafter any other application shall be taken. That is the order of the tribunal. —Tribunal
Senate President Bukola Saraki’s trial for alleged false declaration of assets yesterday began on a dramatic note at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). He made valiant effort not to enter the dock (accused box) and answer to the 13-count charge brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Saraki, who was compelled by the tribunal to submit himself for arraignment, over one hour after the commencement of proceedings, pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to him by the tribunal’s official.
The Senate president on Monday lost at the Court of Appeal, Abuja; the Federal High Court, Abuja and the CCT his bid to prevent the execution of the bench warrant issued against him by the CCT three days earlier. He showed up before the tribunal (CCT) around 9.30 am.
Proceedings were delayed for about 30 minutes owing to power outage (the tribunal having earlier planned to begin sitting by 10 am). Saraki refused to enter the accused box despite request by prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) that the proper thing was for him to “enter the dock and take his plea”.
Saraki sat among his supporters and fellow Senators, who formed the audience in the courtroom, while his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN) argued frantically that his client was not required to first enter the dock before his objection to his trial was heard.
Daudu, who queried the jurisdiction of the tribunal, argued that the CCT, unlike the regular court, lacked criminal jurisdiction. He said a trial before the tribunal was not criminal, adding that its order was for his client to appear before the tribunal, and that having appeared, he must not be made to enter the dock before his objection could be taken.
Jacobs disagreed. He contended that Daudu’s argument was a repeat of the defence’s failed attempt the last day to stall proceedings. He noted that jurisdiction, the competence of the charge and the application of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by the tribunal raised again early yesterday by Daudu had been decided by the tribunal last Friday.
He urged the tribunal to reject attempts by the defence to ridicule the nation’s judicial system and praised the Judiciary for not yielding the alleged attempt by the defence to ridicule it the previous day (Monday).
“The defendant is working to overstretch the administration of criminal justice in the country. Yesterday (Monday), this tribunal said he should come and face trial. The Federal High Court ruled and asked him to go and face his trial. The Court of Appeal said it does not want to interfere with what is going on.
“The Judiciary saved the nation yesterday. They wanted to put us in a state of quagmire. One can just imagine what would have happened if there were contradictory decisions by the courts,” Jacobs said and urged the tribunal to proceed with the day’s business.
Ruling, Tribunal Chairman Justice Danladi Umar, overruled Daudu and insisted that Saraki must submit himself for arraignment.
“It is the tribunal’s opinion that the charge before the tribunal is criminal in nature. As decided in the case of the Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Atiku Abubakar, where Justice Aboki (of the Court of Appeal) ruled that trial in the tribunal is criminal in nature.
“It is also our ruling that the defendant in this case must enter the dock and take his plea, and thereafter any other application shall be taken. That is the order of the tribunal,” Justice Umar said.
Saraki walked to the “accused box” where he was offered a chair to sit, following which an official of the tribunal approached him and began to read the charge to him, a count before another.
Before responding to the first count, Saraki complained that he ought not to be before the tribunal if due process was adhered to. He said his presence before the tribunal was because he was a law-abiding citizen.
Citing the provision of Section 3(d) of the law establishing the CCB, Saraki argued that he ought to have been confronted with any contradiction in his asset declaration form and made to provide explanation, failing which the case should be referred to the tribunal for trial.
When told by the tribunal Chairman that it was not his duty to address the tribunal, Saraki insisted on making the point that he ought not to be before the tribunal if due process was adhered to.
“Mr. Chairman, I will not go ahead. I just want to make this point for you to understand that, as a layman, I am puzzled why I should be before the tribunal. I thought that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) should have first called on me, according to the provision of the law. This is because the prosecution is talking about a new Nigeria.
“We are all before the world and not just before Nigeria and we ought to be seen how we conform to due process. And that is why I felt before now; some of these issues need to be raised. So, as stated, I want to say that I am not guilty,”Saraki said. He answered “not guilty” to the other 12 counts.
At the conclusion of the arraignment, Jacobs, as required by the ACJA, gave a summary of what the case was about. He said it was about how Saraki made anticipatory asset declaration in the forms he filed between 2003 and 2011.
“He filed one in 2003, two in 2007 and one in 2011. These are the four asset declaration forms he filed as at when the charge was filed. The court should note that in the form he filed in 2003, he added properties on 15A and 15B Macpherson Road, Ikoyi. We will call only five witnesses to prove our case that the defendant made an anticipatory asset declaration,” Jacobs said.
He said Saraki actually bought the assets from the Federal Government in 2007 and that he also allegedly operated a foreign account, with which he purportedly move funds out of the country while serving as governor of Kwara State. He said the prosecution needs just two days to conclude its case.
As Jacobs spoke, Saraki’s supporters, who filled up the courtroom, intermittently interrupted him, murmuring. Some even wondered aloud why he was in haste to have the case heard.
Daudu urged the tribunal to allow his client sufficient time to prepare his defence.
Before adjourning, the tribunal Chairman vacated the bench warrant against Saraki. He also admitted Saraki to bail on self-recognition (since Jacobs did not object to Daudu’s application for bail) and adjourned till October 21 for the hearing of all pending applications and possibly, commencement of trial.
As Saraki stepped off the accused box after the case was adjourned, he raised his hands and, as if on cue, his supporters, roared “Sai Bukky!” They continued shouting his name while they all exited the tribunal, trailing him as security men led him through the rowdy crowd into his waiting car.
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Senators: we won’t change our opinion of Saraki
A group of senators yesterday expressed support for embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki in his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
In a statement signed by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba (Sokoto South) on behalf of others, the lawmakers said the trial was mischievous, vindictive and politically-motivated.
The statement said: “We also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the Senate remains solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support for his leadership.
“We are happy that he appeared at the Tribunal after availing himself of the opportunity to defend his Fundamental Human Rights.
“We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of Senate President and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial will change our opinion of him.
“By his appearance at the Tribunal, he has demonstrated his firm belief in the rule of law and his respect for our judicial process. We join Dr. Saraki in affirming our commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy.
“We only hope the other arms of government will ensure that due process and procedures are followed in this trial and on all other issues.
[ad id=”403656″]“It is our belief that at the end of this trial, our democracy, Nigerians and the people will end up as the beneficiaries”.
They also restated commitment to the programmes and policies of the Buhari administration.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu led 29 other senators to the CCT in solidarity with the Senate President.
Some supporters of the embattled Senate President, including placard-carrying women group, were also on hand at the CCB to show solidarity to Saraki.
Senators at the CCT are: Amori Ighoyota (Delta Central), Bassey Albert Akpan (Akwa North East) Abdulrahman Abubakar (Kogi East),Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central),Kabiru Gaya (Kano Central),Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto North), Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) and Theodore Orji (Abia Central).
Others are Senators Ben Murray-Bruce (Bayelsa East) Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central), Ogola Foster (Bayelsa West) Mao Ohuabunwa (Abia North), Gilbert Nnaji (Enugu East) Rose Oko (Cross River North), Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North), Olaka Nwogu (Rivers South East), Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), Sunny Ogbuoji (Ebonyi South), Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger East), Isa Hamma Missau (Bauchi Central), Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central) Kaura Tijjani (Famfara North), Clifford Ordia ( Edo Central), Mohammed Ohiare (Kogi Central) Ibrahim Adullahi Dambaba, Rafui Ibrahim (Kwara South),Gershom Henry Bassey (Cross River South) and Ibrahim Dambaba (Sokoto South).
The women took over the road leading to the tribunal singing the praises of the Senate President.
Another grouped that styled itself Northern Youth Assembly Bukola supporters were also at the tribunal
The placard-bearing supporters described the trial of Saraki as politically motivated.
Some of the placards read “Leave Bukola alone, No Bukola no Nigeria, Bukola is a leader”.
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Saraki’s trial vindictive – Senators
A group of senators on Tuesday expressed support for the embattled President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
In a statement signed by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba on behalf of others, the lawmakers said the trial was mischievous, vindictive and politically motivated.
The statement said, “We also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the Senate remains solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support for his leadership.
“We are happy that he appeared at the tribunal after availing himself of the opportunity to defend his fundamental human rights.
“We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of Senate President and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial will change our opinion of him.
“By his appearance at the tribunal, he has demonstrated his firm belief in the rule of law and his respect for our judicial process. We join Dr. Saraki in affirming our commitment to the rule of law, constitutionalism and democracy.
“We only hope the other arms of government will ensure that due process and procedures are followed in this trial and on all other issues.
“It is our belief that at the end of this trial, our democracy, Nigerians and the people will end up as the beneficiaries.”
The group of senators also restated commitment to the programmes and policies of the Buhari administration.
Senators that accompanied Saraki to the tribunal included Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senators Shaaba Lafiaji; Theodore Orji; Mao Ohuabunwa; Samuel Egwu; Ben Murray-Bruce; Aliyu Wamakko; Gilbert Nnaji; Kabiru Gaya; Tayo Alasoadura; and Samuel Anyanwu.
Others are – Foster Ogola, Sunny Ogborji, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Isa Hamma Missau, Emmanuel Paulker, Obinna Ogba, Kaura Tijani, Clifford Ordia, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Peter Nwaoboshi, Rose Okoh, Mohammed Ohiare, Gershom Bassey and Olaka Nwogu.
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Update: Saraki enters dock, pleads not guilty to charges
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has entered the dock at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged false declaration of assets.
He entered the dock at exactly 11:25am, after his lawyer failed in his bid, to stop him from taking his pleas at the tribunal.
The Senate President pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The case has been adjourned to October 21 by the presiding judge.
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Saraki arrives Tribunal
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has arrived the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
Saraki arrives the tribunal at few minutes past 10.00am.
He was accompaigned by senators and other spporters.
The Senate President is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged false declaration of assets.