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Tag: Senate president

  • Asset declaration: Appeal Court quashes Saraki’ acquittal by CCT

    Asset declaration: Appeal Court quashes Saraki’ acquittal by CCT

     

    … Senate president to lose seat if convicted

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Tuesday ordered the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to return to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for his false asset declaration trial.

    A three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe Wilson held that the prosecution was able to establish a prima facie case against Saraki in three of the 18 charges brought against him and subsequently quashed the remaining 15.

    The charges are on count 4, 5 and 6 and bordered on his alleged failure to declare houses he acquired in Abuja and Lagos.

    The court ordered that the case be remitted back to the tribunal for the Senate president to enter his defence.

    If convicted by the CCT, the Senate president may be banned from holding public office for years as the tribunal is not empowered by the constitution to jail erring public officers.

    The CCT had on June 14 upheld Saraki’s no-case submission and acquitted him on the false assets declaration charges.

    The charges:

    Count 4 – That you, DR. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki on or about 3rd June, 2011 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Tribunal did make a false declaration in the Assets Declaration Form for Public Officers at the end of your tenure of office as Governor of Kwara State in 2011 by your refusal to declare Plot 37A, Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos which you acquired between2007 and 2008 through your company Carlisle Properties Limited from the Implementation Committee on Federal Government Landed Properties for a total sum of N325, 000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Twenty-Five Million Naira) and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 (1) & (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraphs 11 (1), & (2) of part l, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and punishable under Section 23 (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of Part l, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    Count 5 – That you, Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, while being the executive governor of Kwara State on or about 18th September, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal do make a false declaration in the assets declaration form for public officers on the assumption of office as governor of Kwara State by your refusal to declare No. 1  Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja, otherwise known as Plot 2482 Cadastral Zone, Abuja, which you claimed in your end of tenure asset declaration form in 2011 to have acquired in November 1999 from one David Baba Akawu and thereby committed an offence under section 15 (1) and (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act,  Cap C15  Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and is incorporated under paragraphs (1) (1) and (2) of Part I. Fifth Schedule to 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended.

    Count 6 – That you, Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, on or about 16th September, 2003 within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal do make a false declaration in the assets declaration form for public officers upon assumption of office in the year 2003 as governor of Kwara State by your refusal to declare No. 3 Tagus Street, Maitama, Abuja, otherwise known as Plot 2481 Cadastral Zone, Abuja, which you acquired through your company Carlisle Properties Limited from one Alhaji Attahiru Adamu before your assumption of office and you thereby committed an offence under Section 15 (1) and (2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Appeal Court upholds High Court’s verdict on Akungba-Akoko stool

  • Buhari names CCB chair, nine others  

    Buhari names CCB chair, nine others  

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Wednesday, asked the Senate to confirm Muhammed Isa and nine others as chairman and members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    A letter read by Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, President Buhari requested the lawmakers to expedite action on the confirmation of the nominees.

    Buhari said in the letter:  “In compliance with section 541 of the 1999 constitution as amended and in pursuant to sections 1(2) and 1(3) of the code of conduct bureau act LFN 2004, I write to request for the confirmation of the following nominees for appointment as chairman and members of the bureau.

    “The curriculum vitae of the nominees are attached herewith. It is my hope that this Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will in their usual expeditious manner consider and confirm the nominees. Please accept Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

    Isa, who is expected to head the Bureau, hails from Jigawa, North West. Others members included Murtala Kankia (member, Katsina, North West), Emmanuel Attah (member, Cross River, South South), Danjuma Sado, (member, Edo, South South)  Obolo Opanachi, (member, Kogi, North Central), and Ken Madaki Alkali, (member Nasarawa, North Central.)

    Others are S.F. Ogundare, (member, Oyo, South West), Ganiyu Hamzat, (member, Ogun, South West), Sahad Abubakar, (member, Gombe North East) and Vincent Nwanne, (member, Ebonyi, South East.)

  • Buhari turns down two bills

    Buhari turns down two bills

    President Muhammadu Buhari has refused to sign two bills passed by the National Assembly.

    The President withheld assent on The Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (Establishment, etc) Bill 2017 and The Federal University of Wukari (establishment, etc) Bill 2017.

    In a letter dated November 8, 2017 addressed to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, President Buhari noted that in pursuant to Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) “I hereby convey to the Senate, my decision, on 25th October, 2017 to withhold assent to the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (establishment, etc) Bill 2017.”

    He noted that the rationale for withholding assent are regarding the scope of, and phrase utilized in the Bill.

    He noted for instance that the phrase “treasury management’ is not defined in the Bill.

    The President said that greater clarity may be required regarding the impact of the Bill on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulation of treasury managers in the banks, and the relationship between the proposed Institute and other existing professional institutes that regulate treasury managers in Nigeria.

    On the refusal to assent to the Federal University of Wukari, the president said the ‘Statute” should replace “regulation” throughout the bill for consistency.

    He said that paragraph 9(1) of the 1st Schedule should refer to “the President” and not “the Visitor while paragraph 5 of the 3rd Schedule should refer to sub-paragraph (2) and not sub-paragraph (3).

    Apart from withholding of assent on the two bills, President Buhari sent three other bills to the Senate for consideration and passage into law,

    The new bills are Federal Institute for Industrial research Bill 2017, Nigeria natural medicine development agency (establishment) bill 2017 and the raw materials research and development council (repeal and re-enactment) bill 2017.

  • Saraki seeks partnership with NBA for ease passage of bills

    Saraki seeks partnership with NBA for ease passage of bills

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki has directed that all pending and prospective bills before the Senate be made available to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for its input.

    Saraki said that such partnership would only improve the quality of such bills but engender easy passage of the proposed legislations.

    The Senate President pledged the cooperation of the Senate with the NBA to ensure easy passage of bills before the upper chamber.

    A statement by Special Assistant to the Senate President on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, said that Saraki spoke when the NBA Legislative Advocacy Committee led by Paul Erokoro (SAN) paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly.

    It said that the NBA official visited Saraki to solicit that the association be allowed to make its input to bills being considered by the Senate before passage.

    It quoted Saraki to have said that he was in complete agreement with the NBA that their input is necessary before bills go for public hearings.

    Saraki said, “l agree with you entirely as part of recommendations that we must have collaborations. I am surprised that our bills are new to you and that you don’t have free access to them. We have these bills on our website. You should be able to access them.

    “Going forward, I think that instead of you waiting for us, by your experience, there are areas that require necessary input and I think we should be able to collaborate closely.

    “We’ve done this in the business sector where we set up a working group with Nigeria Economic Summit Group and my office and we’ve been able to work together in some business related bills.

    “Some of these bills require amendment, some are outdated, and some are not inline with today’s practice. We have been able to come out with a road map which we are following and the economic sector is enjoying the efforts in the business communities and infrastructure.

    “We’ve passed the Railway Bill, Road Transport, Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and Secured Transaction bills. All these are as a result of collaboration. If there are other areas that need amendment or on general issues in the society, we want the NBA to partner with us. We will be very happy to work closely with you.  All we can assure you is that it is our responsibility to pass these relevant Bills.

    “The society has changed drastically and the times have changed. So, as we send these Bills to you, I think there should be some initiative from your own part too and we assure you that there will be prompt attention on our part to fast-track such bills”

    It said that Chairman of the NBA Legislative Advocacy Committee also demanded for a register of all pending bills before the Senate to enable them conduct a research on the bills, stating that such partnership would enable bills passed by the National Assembly to stand the necessary legal test.

  • Senate to begin 2018 budget consideration next week

    Senate to begin 2018 budget consideration next week

    The Senate will commence the consideration of the general principles of the 2018 Appropriation Bill next week, Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said Thursday.

    Saraki who made the announcement in plenary said the consideration of the budget would begin on Wednesday, 22nd November 2017 and end on Thursday, 23 November, 2017.

    He asked senators wishing to contribute to the debate on the general principle of the money Bill to indicate by writing their names in the register.

    Throwing more light on the announcement, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said that copies of the budget as presented by President Muhammadu Buhari, are being produced for distribution to senators.

    Abdullahi said that all senators should have been given copies of the fiscal document but for the voluminous nature of the budget.

    He said that the president presented two copies of the budget one for the Senate and the other for the House of Representatives.

    He assured that copies of the budget are already being mass produced and by next week debate would commence.

    On the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF) which is yet to be approved by the, Abdullahi said it would be considered alongside the budget.

    President Buhari on November 7 presented a budget of N8.612 trillion to a joint sitting of the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2018 fiscal year.

    The National Assembly is expected to pass the budget before the end of 2017 to enable the Executive to begin its implementation on January 1st, 2018.

  • Breaking: Court orders Ndume ‘s reinstatement

    Breaking: Court orders Ndume ‘s reinstatement

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the suspension of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (representing Borno South Senatorial District) since March this year.

    Justice Babatunde Quadri, in a judgment Friday, ordered Ndume’s reinstatement.

    The judge particularly ordered Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Senate to ensure prompt payment of Ndume’s salaries and allowances.

    Read:  Court rules on Ndume’s suit

    The judge said the suspension was an exhibition of lawlessness on the part of the Senate because it was unlawful in the part of the Senate leadership to have suspended Ndume in the first place.

    The judgment was on Ndume’s suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/551/2017, with which he challenged his suspension for 90 days via a letter dated March 30, 2017

    Details later…

    Read Also: Ndume laments heightened humanitarian crisis in North East

  • 2019: Saraki’s aide resigns to chair political party

    2019: Saraki’s aide resigns to chair political party

    Ahead of the 2019 election, Special Assistant to the Senate President on Youth and students matters Ikenga Ugochinyere has resigned his appointment.

    Ugochinyere in a one page letter to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said that his resignation was to enable him serve as the national chairman of his newly formed political party.

    He did not however give the identity of his new political party, but said he decided to quit his job “because the legal and political implication of his new status, national chairman of a new party does not allow him to continue to serve as an aide to the Senate President.

    The letter dated October 3, 2017letter read “Sequel to the recent issuance of certificate of registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to my newly formed political party and my emergence as the national chairman, I wish to tender my resignation as your Special Assistant on Youths and students matters .

    “This is because of the legal and political implication new status as a result of which I cannot be able to discharge my function to you Sir ” The Imo state born youth leader however expressed gratitude to the Senate president for given the opportunity serve in that capacity .

    “Our over two years official relationship I count as the most amazing moment in my public service life. His Excellency confidence and believe in the innovative spirit of the young people is indeed legendary.

    “He built a bridge between the old and the young and have been working hard to help return the country to the part of national unity.”

  • No more war with Executive, says Senate

    No more war with Executive, says Senate

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Wednesday declared that the era of Executive, Legislature face off is over.

    Saraki who made the declaration when he ruled on the a motion alleging irregularity in the renewal of the tenure of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board further insisted that “the days of balderdash was over”

    Following the intervention of Saraki and Senate leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, the Senate resolved to mandate its committee on NDDC to take up the matter with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, to articulate amicable resolution of the board tenure extension.

    Senator Emmanuel Paulker (Bayelsa Central)  had in his motion entitled “The illegal extension of the tenure of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)”  observed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established to tackle developmental issues affecting the Niger Delta.

    He further noted that noted that it was in response to the age-long agitation of the people of the Niger Delta that had snowballed into militancy which disrupted oil production and affected our national economic interest that the Commission was established.

    The Beyelsa central lawmaker said that the Commission consists of a Board made up of members drawn from the States of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

    He observed that Section 4 of the act states that the office of the Chairman shall rotate amongst member States of the Commission in alphabetical order.

    He noted that the Chairmanship of the NDDC started with Abia State and has rotated in accordance with the Act up to Cross-River state now.

    Paulker observed that the NDDC Act also states that “where a vacancy occurs in the membership board it shall be filled by the appointment of a successor to hold office for the remainder of the term of his predecessor, so however, that the successor shall represent the same interest and shall be appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces subject to the confirmation of the Senate in consultation with the House of Representatives.”

    He noted that that the Board headed by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN was appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to replace the one headed by Senator Bassey Henshaw.

    He observed further that Section 5 (2) of the Act dictates that the Board headed by Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, SAN serves out the remainder of the term of the board chaired by Senator Bassey Henshaw will terminate in December 2017.

    He noted that contrary to the clear provisions of Section 5 (2) of the N DPC Act, the tenure of the present board of the Commission has been illegally extended to 4 years by the immediate past Acting secretary to Government of the Federation, Dr. Habiba Muda Lawal.

    He added that contravention of the NDDC Act portends grave danger to the relative peace we enjoy in the Niger Delta and prayed the Senate accordingly resolve to mandate the Committee on Niger Delta to investigate the illegal renewal of the tenure of the present Board of the Commission.

    Hardly had Paulker concluded his submission than the Senate Leader, Lawan called for caution.

    The Yobe North lawmaker said that he engaged the SGF to find out what happened.

    Lawan said that since the new SGF had shown sufficient inclination to work with the National Assembly, he should be given the benefit of the doubt to resolve the issue.

    Saraki on his part said that the matter should be referred to the NDDC Committee to take up the matter with the SGF for resolution.

    The Senate President who said that “the days of balderdash are over” noted that “in the spirit of new relations between the Executiive and the Legislature; the matter should be taken up with the SGF.

    Former SGF, Babachir David Lawal had described the Senate as “talking balderdash” for indicting over grass cutting contract in the North East.

    Findings showed that the resolution to take up the issue with the SGF following the intervention of the Saraki was informed by the need to promote the new found rapport between the Executive and the Legislature.

    A source close to the Senate President recalled that the recent appointment of a new SGF occasioned the visit of the new SGF to the leadership of the National Assembly to improve and strengthen Executive-Legislature relationship.

    The Senate leadership, he said, “may also have been moved to support the reform minded initiative of the present NDDC leadership. “

    He noted that the matured handling of the motion by the Senate leadership had gone further to “underscore and demonstrate the determination of the Senate to support the core mandate of the NDDC as an interventionist agency.”

    According to him, “on this the NDDC leadership on its part is required to focus in its present commitment to develop the region and make the agency responsible.”

    A document made available to reporters marked “Re: Clarification on the tenure of the governing Board of the of NDDC” indicated various conditions a vacancy can occur in the NDDC governing board.

    The document specifically said that “the previous Board of the NDDC was dissolved and its tenure extinguished.”

    It added that “Dissolution of the Board cannot be categorized as a vacancy under the Act. Dissolution signifies total extinguishment of the Board, it simply ceases to exist, and therefore there cannot be any reminder of any term which a successor is expected to complete. There has to be a fresh composition of the Board for a fresh term of four years.”

     

  • Paradise papers: Saraki defends self

    Paradise papers: Saraki defends self

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on sunday defended himself over the leaked Paradise papers wherein he was alleged to have offended the law.

    Saraki in a statement by his special Adviser (Media Publicity) noted that he didn’t violate any law and did nothing illegal in the course of registering the company under reference, Tenia Limited, and afterwards.

    It said, “Once again, the issue of offshore company registration which was first raised in 2016 is being revived and thrown to the public space. As a responsible public officer, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, will continue to explain his position. We know this is the period of politics when mudslinging is a common trick in the game.

    “However, we will like to make it known that Dr. Saraki violated no law and did nothing illegal in the course of registering the company under reference, Tenia Limited, and afterwards.

    “As we had earlier explained when the issue was first brought into public view, the company in question, Tenia Limited, was incorporated in 2001, long before Dr. Saraki ventured into politics and was elected into public office.

    The company from incorporation to date had never been used for any transaction. It held no asset. It had no bank account to the best of the knowledge of Dr. Saraki. Even if it did, the Senate President was not a signatory to such account. This is just a paper company and therefore could not have been used to hide any asset.

    “The company, unlike the other ones investigated by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), had been a dormant entity from creation such that when in late 2015, its existence was raised with the Senate President, he could not readily recollect that there was such a company linked to him. He then immediately directed that the company be struck off.

    “For the umpteenth time, we will reiterate the fact that the Senate President has fully complied with the law on assets declaration, even as it concerns the company under reference.

    “We call on all members of the public to disregard the claims and insinuations suggesting that the company in question was incorporated to perpetrate any illegality or that its existence violates any law.

    Read Also: Saraki commends Buhari for signing NEDC Bill into law

  • Senate queries misuse of $1.35b power sector funds

    Senate queries misuse of $1.35b power sector funds

    The Senate on Thursday resolved to consider alleged misuse of $1.35 billion power sector funds by the Ministry of Power.

    The resolution followed “save power sector” alarm raised by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West).

    Relying on Order 42 “matter of urgent public importance, “Melaye sought permission of the chamber to furnish it with details of how $1billion Euro bond raised in 2013 was allegedly “installmently stolen.”

    The Kogi West senator also asked for approval to detail how another $35 million set aside for “Fast Power project” was allegedly siphoned by the Ministry of Power without appropriation and feasibility study.

    Melaye noted that he was seeking permission to expose mismanagement of funds in line with the anti-graft posture of the Federal Government and the Senate.

    He said: “In line with the anti-corruption posture of this chamber especially now that our cries and observations are yielding evidence as expressly manifested in the case of Babachir Lawal, today I bring to the attention of this Senate, a monumental fraud in the power sector.

    “In July 2013, the FG raised $1 billion from a Euro bond issue. From the proceeds, the sum $350 million was given to IBEX in 2014. This money is installmentally stolen.

    “As I speak to you, Mr. President, sometime last year again, the Ministry of Power came up with the project they termed “Fast Power”.

    “This indigested project is supposed to build new generating plants to add power to our grid.

    “There are few questions I need to ask to bring a substantive motion another legislative day.

    “Up till date, there is no detail to build this new generating plant or feasibility study. There is no appropriation by National Assembly for this project.

    “The Ministry of Power has spent $35 million on the affirmed Fast Power project that has no appropriation or no detailed feasibility study.

    “How and when was this money appropriated? Out of this money, $29 million was purportedly paid to General Electric for turbine while $6 million was paid to others. This amount amongst others is a monumental fraud.

    “We need the Senate to investigate this after moving a substantive motion to continue the anti-corruption fight.”

    When Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki put the question to vote, the affirmation for Melaye to present a motion on the issue at the next legislative date was unanimous.