The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate president

  • Xenophobic attacks: Senate to send delegation to S/African parliament

    Xenophobic attacks: Senate to send delegation to S/African parliament

    …Rejects calls to severe relations

     

    The continuing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa took centre stage Tuesday in the Senate.

    The upper chamber after over one hour deliberation of the contentious issue, resolved to dispatched a “powerful” parliamentary delegation to South African parliament to express the displeasure of the Nigerian parliament over the attacks.

    The lawmaker however turned down the prayer for the Nigerian Government to reconsider its diplomatic ties with South African.

    Senator Rose Oko (Cross River North) and three others presented a motion on “Resurgence of xenophobic attacks and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa.”

    The Oko specifically asked the Senate to ask the Federal Government to reconsider Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with South Africa if the ugly incidents of the attacks of Nigerians do not stop.

    The prayer was rejected as some of the Senators contended that the ripple effect of such action would be overwhelming.

    Senate President, Abubakaer Bukola Saraki, noted that the government could no longer fold its hands and allow its citizens to be attacked and killed.

    Saraki said that henceforth, Nigerian ambassadors in other country’s would be given specific assignments to defend the dignity and rights of Nigerians living abroad.

    The Senate President said that the Senate would work to ensure that funding for foreign missions are increased.

    Saraki said: “I want to thank the mover of the motion and those that have contributed. This attack has become one too many. We must put a stop to these attacks. We must take the bull by the horn. That is why we have resolved to meet with the South African parliament.

    “We must be seen to be defending the dignity of Nigerians abroad. We need to screen the ambassadorial nominees to ensure that they protect Nigerians abroad. Some foreign missions are poorly funded. On our own part, we must show commitments. I want to commend Nigerians who have shown restraints.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution noted that it seemed the Federal Government is not doing enough to protect Nigerians living in South Africa.

    He said: “It appears that our brothers and sisters in South Africa have forgotten where they are coming from. South Africa suffered Apartheid for many years. It took the intervention of Nigeria for them to get out of that.

    “There was a time Nigerians did not need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom. They started issuing visas to Nigerians when we imposed sanctions on UK, following the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Till this day, we still need visas to go to the UK. This happened because of what we did for South Africa.

    “I think Nigeria needs to take a position. Enough is enough. There was a time Nigerians accommodated South Africans in Nigeria and they only returned to their country when the Apartheid regime ended. As a country, we gave them money and rendered other forms of assistance.

    “I suggest that we send a strong delegation to the South African parliament to table our position. We cannot allow them to continue to attack our people and their businesses.”

    Senate committee chairman on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, on her part told the Senate that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama had already been summoned by her committee, in conjunction with her colleague in the House of Representatives.

    Senator Sunmonu said that the outcome of their interaction with the Minister will be communicated to the Senate in plenary next week.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, in his contribution recalled the pivotal role played by the Nigerian Government during the apartheid regime.

    Adeyeye noted that it was unbecoming of South Africa to ill-treat Nigerians despite the Nigerian’s sacrifice to the liberation of South Africa..

    He said, “South Africans must be reminded that it was Nigeria that came to their rescue in their hour of need. We played a role in liberating South Africans. It breaks my heart to see that having done so much for South Africa, they have turned around to be the one fighting Nigerians.”

  • ‘Saraki wrong to earn double salaries as public officer’

    ‘Saraki wrong to earn double salaries as public officer’

    An official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Samuel Madojemu on Thursday insisted that Senate President, Bukola Saraki was wrong to have earned monthly payments from the Kwara State governor at the same time when he was already elected to the Senate. 

    Madojemu, who is the Head, Intelligence Unit of the CCB was emphatic when he said:  “A public officer is not permitted to earn two salaries from public treasuries, using two government positions at the same time.” 

    The CCB official spoke while testifying as the third prosecution witness at the resumption of proceedings in Saraki’s trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on charges of false assets declaration.

    Led in evidence by lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Madojemu also said Saraki failed to declare, among others, his mortgage and the property he acquired through mortgage in London. He added that Saraki failed to declare his liability of about $3.4m in an America Express Card.

    “Your lordship, a public officer who has a mortgage abroad is expected to declare the mortgage. Having fully paid the mortgage, the public officer is expected to declare the property in his asset declaration form. But the defendant did not declare any mortgage in London.

    “He (Saraki) gave instruction to his banker, the GTB, to transfer £1,516,000 in two days to a bank in Fortis Bank for a mortgage in London. There was no declaration for the property in London.”

    Madojemu also said the Senate President made a single deposit of N77m cash on September 5, 2007, when his monthly salary, as governor of Kwara State, was N254,412.25.

    The witness, who read from a statement of Saraki’s account with the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, said the N77m was deposited in the defendant’s account in one day.

    “Your lordship, the cash lodgment deposited is not consonant with the income of the defendant as a governor. It cannot be attributable to his legitimate income. Your lordship, the defendant was earning 254,412.25 for a month. 

    “Within that same period, in one single day, as shown in the statement of account made available by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), there was lodgment of N77m in his account in one day.

    “From Exhibit 15, the salary of governors as of August 12, 2007, was N254,412.25.”

    On his role in the investigation of Saraki’s case, the witness said: “My role with reference to the exhibits mentioned already, was to compare the exhibits with the asset declaration forms of the defendants to see if there was any infraction with regards to his declarations.Those exhibits were sourced by EFCC officials in my team.”

    Under cross-examination by the defence lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), Madojemu was shown the contradiction in the number of Saraki’s asset declaration forms that the prosecution had tendered in court and the number of the forms which the CCB official had linked to Saraki in an affidavit.

    While seven of Saraki’s declaration forms had been tendered before the CCT, Madojemu had stated in the affidavit that Saraki had only declared four.

    When asked by the defence lawyer if four and seven were the same, the witness said no.

    Responding to further questions, the witness confirmed that he had earlier stated that it was unlawful for a public officer to trade in rice and sugar commodities.

    The witness said a public officer was permitted to own shares in companies, and when asked further, he said nothing stopped such public officers from owning shares in companies trading in rice and sugar.

    He confirmed that he never met Saraki in person and never asked him if he had shares in any company trading in rice and sugar.

    Madojemu said: “Public officer is allowed to own shares in a company. Nothing to my knowledge stops a public officer from owning controlling shares in a limited liability company. A public officer can be allowed to own controlling shares in a company that trades in rice and sugar. 

    “I did not ask the defendant whether he had shares in the company that traded rice and sugar. I did not find out if any of the companies in which the defendant owns share trades in rice and sugar. I have never seen the audited account of the defendant’s companies,” the witness said.

    Earlier, Saraki was re-arraigned on an amended 18-count charge filed by the prosecution, t which he pleaded not guilty.

    Saraki is, in the amended charge, accused of failing to make a written declaration of his “properties and assets”, that is, N77m paid into his account with Guaranty Trust Bank, GRA, Ilorin branch on September 5, 2007.

    It was also alleged that the sum of N77m was “not fairly attributable” to Saraki’s “income, gifts or loan approved by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers”.

    Further hearing in the case is adjourned to March 2.

  • Allegations against me at CCT made ‘no sense’- Saraki

    Allegations against me at CCT made ‘no sense’- Saraki

    The Federal Government on Thursday re-arraigned Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on an 18-count amended charge over false asset declaration and money laundering at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.

    The Prosecution team, led by Mr Rotimi Jacobs, filed the amended charge on Feb. 8 after the trial had gone underway with a number of prosecution witnesses testifying.

    Saraki was initially standing trial on a 13-count charge for alleged false asset declaration at the tribunal.

    The trial, which started in September 2015, was later amended in 2016, with an addition of three charges, making it 16-count.

    The Chairman of the tribunal, Mr Umar Danladi, held that the court was compelled to give a short adjournment for the defendant’s team to study the new charge.

    The matter was then adjourned until Feb. 23 for the defendant to take his fresh plea.

    At the resumption of the trial, Saraki made his plea, where he denied all the allegations in the charge.

    He said his trial was politically-motivated, adding that the allegations included in the charge made “no sense” to him.

    Saraki’s plea was immediately followed by the testimony of a prosecution witness, Mr Samuel Madojemu.

    Madojemu, an official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), had earlier given evidence on Feb. 8.

    He insisted that Saraki failed to capture his properties at No. 15a and 17a Macdonald street, Ikoyi, Lagos in the asset declaration form.

    The witness said most of the documents tendered as exhibits were obtained by EFCC operatives and validated by the bureau.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the amended charge also borders around false assets declaration and money laundering between 2003 and 2011 when the defendant was governor of Kwara.

    Meanwhile, the presiding judge had adjourned trial until March 2. (NAN)

  • Saraki, Ambode, Elumelu others win Consumersng awards

    Saraki, Ambode, Elumelu others win Consumersng awards

    Consumersng, an online consumer rights advocacy platform has named Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Lagos Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Philanthropist, Tony Elumelu and seven others among its 10 outstanding personalities who impacted Nigeria positively in the year 2016.

    Each year, Consumersng recognises individuals, organisations and governmental bodies who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving Nigeria while maintaining a global mindset.

    The advocacy group, in a media release on Monday, said Saraki is being conferred with a leadership award for the several pro-people roles played by the 8th assembly under his leadership.

    Ambode-1Meanwhile, Lagos governor, Ambode and his counterpart in Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, were both chosen for the agricultural business relationship between the two states which apart from feeding several homes kept thousands of Nigerian farmers in Kebbi employed at a time the country is in dire need of a boost in local production/consumption.

    The group also recognised Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State for the infrastructural development in the state and his relentless commitment to improving the lives of his people despite seeming political challenges plaguing Rivers.

    Other awardees include philanthropist, Tony Elumelu who has touched many lives through his Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), one of the largest private philanthropic organizations in Africa; Chairman Ifeanyi Ubah FC, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, who is being recognized for “his exemplary leadership and roles in the improvement of Nigeria’s league games.”

    mr-ifeanyi-ubahOthers winners are; Managing Director, Eko Electricity Distribution, Oladele Amoda, who is being recognised for “his timeless efforts and roles in corporate leadership .” Also on the list of the Consumersng’s top 10 outstanding personalities award is the Mr Roomans Jacques, President, Seatruck Group, who is being rewarded for his gallantry efforts in developing local content (oil and gas).  

    Young entrepreneurs, Sijibomi Ogundele of Sijimoto Construction Company; Dr Nasko Ibrahim, CEO HMG Group and Mr Suleiman Yusuf, CEO, Blue Camel Energy Ltd; were all rewarded for their unwavering support towards employment creation and contributing immensely towards achieving a stable economy.

    Announcing this year’s awards the Chairman, Consumersng Awards, Anefiok Akpan said:  “The award is to encourage leaders and organisations to continue to be forces for positive change and to inspire solutions to some of the prevalent issues faced by the country. The award goes to someone who has built bridges.

    The awardees will be virtually celebrated on15th, March 2017, a day which marks World Consumers Day.”

  • Saraki reads Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter, others

    Saraki reads Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter, others

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday read President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter.

    Saraki also read the letter seeking the confirmation of Acting Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as substantive CJN which was endorsed by Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

    President Buhari in the letter notifying the Senate of the extension of his medical leave referred further to his letter dated 18th January 2017, in which he notified the Senate of taking part of his annual leave.

    He noted that “During my leave, I took the opportunity to have routine check-ups and consult my long standing doctors in London.

    “In the course of the routine examination, certain test result indicated the need for a course of medication and further appointments have been scheduled for next week.

    “I am therefore, notifying the Distinguished Senate that I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out.

    “In the circumstance, the Vice President will continue to act on my behalf.”

    On the appointment of the Onnoghen as CJN, entitled “Re: Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria” the Acting President said, “Following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, I hereby notify you (Senate) of the appointment of the Honourable Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen CFR as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “The Senate President is requested to kindly present the said appointment of the Honourable Justice Onnoghen for confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria.”

    Saraki also told the Senate that he led a delegation of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan to visit President Buhari in London.

    The Senate President reiterated that they met President Buhari in good spirit, in good health and chatty as usual.

    Saraki said that he led the delegation to convey the good wishes of the National Assembly to President Buhari.

    President Buhari, Saraki said, “hopes to be back very soon.”

     

  • ‘President l saw today is healthy, witty and himself’

    ‘President l saw today is healthy, witty and himself’

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has assured that President Muhammadu Buhari who is on an extended vacation in London on medical grounds is “healthy, witty and himself.”

    In a statement issued after he visited Buhari along with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Saraki said there is no cause for alarm over the President’s health.

    ” We were delighted to see that President Buhari is doing well, was cheerful and in good spirits

    ” The President l saw today is healthy, witty and himself.

    “The President’s absence and imminent return show that there is no vacuum in government and our system of democracy is working with all organs of government fulfilling their mandate. And let me use the time-tested cliche, there is no cause for alarm,” Saraki stated.

    [feature_slider display=”tag” tag=”Buhari” count=”7″ caption=”on” nav=”thumbs” animation=”crossfade” easing=”easeInOutCubic” arrows=”on”]

  • Saraki lists Senate plans to lift Nigeria out of recession 

    Saraki lists Senate plans to lift Nigeria out of recession 

    …Says 2015 elections in Nigeria sets new standard for African countries

     

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Thursday told the visiting European Union (EU) delegation  that the National Assembly was working on legislations aimed at pulling Nigeria  out of the current economic recession.

    Saraki also commended the EU for monitoring the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, which he said has set new standards for other African countries to emulate.

    The Senate President, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, told the EU delegation on Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group led by Mr. Santiago Fisas that the legislators are aware that without good economy that can sustain improved standard of living of the ordinary Nigerians, the legislature would not be seen to have succeeded.

    He said the Senate for example has identified 11 economic recovery bills which can help to create a veritable environment for private investment to thrive, jobs to be created, infrastructure to improve and the national Gross Domestic Product to rise.

    Saraki said, “We are focusing on the economy. We are working on how to continue to improve the economy. We are making all efforts to get us out of recession. We have our economy recovery plan. We are also looking at some priority Bills, infrastructure sector that will help to enable private sector participation which will bring more money for government in the social services sector, like education and health.”

    He commended the EU role during the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria as he saying, “For the first time we have been able to transfer power from one party to the other and in a peaceful manner. I think it has sent signal all over Africa. There was a peaceful transition in Ghana as well. It was almost done in The Gambia, but I don’t know what happened but we finally did it.”

    Saraki noted that “It is clear that whatever we have done well in Nigeria, has effect all over the continent. I hope that is the beginning of smooth transition. I want the EU to continue with the role you played and we thank God that it went well. I commend you and hope that it will encourage you to come back when next needed.

    “Let me also thank EU for picking our member in the National Assembly here as one of your partners. I know that in achieving that, Nigeria sees it as a positive move, and that you recognised us as important partner.

    “I discussed widely with some of our colleagues in the House of Representatives. They talked about democracy and election issues and as a government, I am sure they might have mentioned it to you, we are at the final stage of reviewing some of the existing laws that guide our elections.

    “We have learnt some lessons from the 2015 elections and we would see how we can improve on existing laws and see that new amendments when passed, will strengthen our democracy. Our focus is on the humanitarian crisis in the North East. We are also making an attempt on parliamentary actions on what we can do on gender issues.

    “There has been stop and start but I know we will get there. We are addressing that also. So, in the area of partnership, I hope you have been discussing with some of our colleagues on framework with the area of focus we can look at, where there can be partnership and can also be support for legislators. I think that will help us because we are going towards a period of time where we are looking at some of our laws that have been existing for more than two three, four decades with a view to review them.  Now and we have time to review someone them.

    “With what is going on now, it is time we brought those laws in line with today’s economy. So, this will help you determine the kind of support the legislators needs to help them address the challenges ahead for the country.

    “By and large, we talked about open parliament. For the first time, I think by next week, we are going to have a public hearing on the budget process to enable members of the public to have a say in the making of the Appropriation law. It has never happened before. We have not done this before. What we used to do is when we get the budget, we send it to Committees for defence. Now, we are engaging the public to improve the participation of the public in the budget processes”, Saraki explained.

    Leader of the EU delegation,  Fisas said their visit was to explore ways of enhancing the partnership between the European Union and the  Nigerian Parliament, particularly on how to deepen democracy, Human Rights, poverty alleviation, gender parity, Civil Society and Media interaction and how to find solutions emanating thereof.

    “We believe that relationship between states and the parliaments are important for the growth and development of democracy and development”, said Fisas who added that already the EU Parliament has entered into similar partnership with other countries like Ukraine, Georgia, Honduras, among others.

    He said the EU knew the importance of Nigeria in Africa and that fact informed the extension of its hands of fellowship to Nigeria’s parliament.

    Also speaking during the meeting, Senator Kabiru Gaya who was recently elected Vice President of the Inter Parliamentary Union of the African Group said the delegation had already met with the speaker of the House of Representatives and other officials of the National Assembly.

     

  • Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara meet in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara meet in Aso Rock

    The Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday met behind closed doors with the leadership of the National Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    At the meeting were the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

    The duo had held similar meeting with Osinbajo on Tuesday. 

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Saraki said that the Thursday meeting was centered on Nigeria’s troops deployed in The Gambia. 

    “The Acting President was briefing us on our trip to The Gambia and what the situation is. He told us that the Navy and the Air Force will be coming back and that it is likely some troops will be left behind,” he stated. 

    He had disclosed that the Tuesday’s meeting had discussed the state of the economy and the 2017 Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly. 

  • Saraki’s chief of staff resigns

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday accepted the resignation of his Chief of Staff, Senator Isa Galaudu.

    A statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senate president, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Galaudu first mentioned his decision to step down for personal reasons last November.

    It said that Saraki and Galaudu agreed on his final exit at the end of January.

    It said that Saraki thanked the outgoing Chief of Staff for his commitment and dedication to duty while also directing the Deputy, Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola to act in that position pending the appointment of a substantive Chief of Staff.

    Sources said that Galaudu resigned to go and face his business.

     

  • Saraki names Ndume INEC committee chairman

    Saraki names Ndume INEC committee chairman

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Wednesday named former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, chairman Senate committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    Senator Ndume was controversially removed as Senate Leader on January 10, 2017.

    The Borno South lawmaker described his removal as a “coup” against him and blamed his removal on his position on the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu as chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    President Muhammadu Buhari has since re-nominated Magu for the same position following initial rejection of the nominee by the Senate.

    Other fresh committee appointments Saraki made included Senator Abba Kyari, Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence.

    Senator Kyari was formerly chairman, Senate committee on INEC.

    Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers South East) was named chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Senator George Sekibo was named chairman, Senate Committee on Interior.

    The committee on Interior was held by Senator Oleka Nwogu who was defeated by Senator Abe in the December 10, 2016 Senatorial election in Rivers State.

    Senator Aitai Ali Idokko (Kogi East) was assigned Chairman, Senate Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

    With the new five appointments, the Senate now has 68 standing committees.