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Tag: Senate president

  • Saraki, Ekweremadu mourn Keshi

    Saraki, Ekweremadu mourn Keshi

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday mourned the sudden death of the former skipper and Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi.

    While Saraki described as a “rude shock” the news of the death of Keshi, Eweremadu expressed shock and sadness over the death of the former Super Eagles coach.

    Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the sad occurrence was both painful and unfortunate coming at a time the nation is in dire need of wisdom and rich experience of sports professionals like the late international star to stabilize its soccer architecture.

    He lauded the monumental contributions of Keshi to the development of football in the country and extolled his doggedness and exemplary contributions that saw the nation clinch international trophies both as a player and a coach.

    Saraki said: “Keshi was an excellent star. His soccer artistry and leadership skills remain unparalleled. His days, while donning the national colours and his stint as a National Coach of the Super Eagles could rightly be regarded as “Nigeria’s golden moments” in both national, continental and world soccer.

    “Keshi lost his wife late last year and today we heard the sad news of his demise. This must be a heavy burden for the family to bear. His death at 54 is both a rude shock and highly unfortunate.

    “Nonetheless, we must take solace in the fact that he did his utmost for the development of sports in Nigeria, Africa and the world, during his sojourn on earth.

    “As a player and coach, he was instrumental to superlative victories for the national team.  It could be recalled that the “Big Boss” as he was fondly called, made history by winning the African Nation’s Cup as a player in Tunisia 1994 and in South Africa 2013, he won again as a coach. He was perhaps the only Nigerian to have achieved that feat.

    “He was a great source of inspiration to his contemporaries, team mates and the younger generation who took to football and are still active in sports across the world today. He shall be sorely missed,” he said.

    The Senate President commiserated with the children and immediate family of the deceased, the Government and people of Delta State, the Minister of Youths and Sports, the nation’s football governing body and the Super Eagles over the painful loss.

    While praying God to grant the Soul of the departed eternal rest, he urged his children, loved ones and admirers to emulate the enviable lifestyle of industry and patriotism of the late soccer hero.

    He called on both the Federal and Delta State Governments to immortalize him.

    Ekweremadu on his own said Keshi represented the best generation of the Super Eagles so far and described the ex-international’s death as a big blow to Nigerian football.

    This is contained in statement by his aide, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja

    Ekweremadu noted that late gaffer made Nigeria proud, not only as a successful captain and coach of the Super Eagles, but as one of the first crop of Nigerian players to export Nigeria’s football prowess to the world as a professional player.

    He said: “Keshi captained a generation of Super Eagles that was truly superlative in performance and bestowed on the national team the international fame, respect, and grandeur it enjoys till date.

    “He captained the Super Eagles to the 5th place in FIFA ranking, possibly the best by any African country so far, and capped it up by leading a younger generation of the national team to a successful campaign to the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “His death is, therefore, a big blow to us as a nation. Keshi deserves our prayers for the peaceful repose of his patriotic soul; and he indeed deserves immortalisation by a country he served so fervently, patriotically, and unreservedly”.

    The Deputy Senate President called on stakeholders in the Nigerian football industry to use this period of mourning to embark on sober and deep reflections on the tumble in nation’s football fortunes.

    He prayed God to grant Keshi’s immediate family and the entire nation the equanimity to bear the irreparable loss.

  • CCT frowns at delay by Saraki’s lawyers

    CCT frowns at delay by Saraki’s lawyers

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has frowned at what it described as the delay tactics being employed by lawyers to Senate President, Bukola Saraki in his on-going trial for false asset declaration.

    Saraki’s legal team consisting of about 100 lawyers, including about 10 Senior Advocates, has spent 11 days on the cross-examination the first defence witness, Michael Wetkas, and was yet to conclude.

    The tribunal has also expressed discomfort over what it called incidents of misrepresentation of proceedings in the media.

    Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, who spoke at the resumption of proceedings Tuesday, said the tribunal was equally bothered by the concern expressed by the prosecution that the defence was deliberately delaying proceedings.

    At the commencement of proceedings, lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) complained that the defence was unduly delaying proceedings having spent 11 days cross-examining a single witness presented by the prosecution.

    Umar said: “I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel. And I must say this thing out, that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet from this tribunal at the end of the trial if he is found guilty.”

    Lead defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) however told the tribunal that the defence team was not comfortable the tribunal Chairman’s view on the allegation of delay made by Jacobs.

    “From the defence side, we are not worried about the law and facts that will be placed before this tribunal by the prosecution. But we are worried about enemies, who may wish to use this tribunal to achieve their ulterior motive.

    “As the tribunal Chairman, we love you, we respect you, but we are afraid of consequences, especially as just stated by this tribunal this morning. Our fears have been reinforced, but we pray against consequences that are against natural justice,” Agabi said.

    On the issue of misrepresentation, Umar was particularly angered by some media reports to the effect that the tribunal had adjourned Saraki’s trial indefinitely.

    “Journalists should be punished” for publishing falsehood, “it is a criminal offence. If I have my way I would bring back Decree 2 of the olden days to take care of the irresponsible journalists in this country”.

    “How can they dare to publish that we have adjourned the trial of this defendant (Saraki) indefinitely? It is the highest point of irresponsible journalism. But I thank God for them that we are in a democratic era and that is why they are doing what they are doing now.

    “They are embarking on sensational journalism to sell their newspapers at the expense of truth. That is not journalism, but a serious crime that can lead them to jail,” Umar said.

    Agabi, who agreed with Umar on the need for the media to be accurate in their report of proceedings, said he admires journalists a lot, because of their contributions to the enthronement of democracy in the country.

    He said what Nigeria needed now was peace and not Decree 2. He urged Nigerians should pray for peace rather than anything that can disturb the peace of the nation.

    Another member of Saraki’s legal team, Paul Usoro (SAN) later cross-examined Wetkas.

    Under cross-examination, Wetkas insisted that Saraki procured undeclared properties through bank loans of over N2.5billion.

    When asked if he found any economic and financial infractions in the activities of Skyview properties limited (a company linked to Saraki), Wetkas said: “The only thing we found out during investigation is that, both Plots 2481 and 2481 Cadastral Zone, Maitama, Abuja were residential properties, and that loans were taken by Skyview from Guranty Trust Bank to develop the properties.

    “The loan was in two tranches of N1.8billion and over N700million. When we interview the Managing Director of Skyview, he said the transactions were at the instance of the defendant, and that the property belongs to the defendant, that formed our basis of the ownership,” Wetkas said.

    When asked if he ever confronted Saraki with their findings, Wetkas said he never did.

    At this point, tribunal Chairman indicated his intention to adjourn proceedings on the ground that tribunal members had an engagement outside the tribunal premises.

    Agabi and Usoro however sought a long adjournment. Agabi said he had written the tribunal about an appointment he has with his physicians.

    Usoro also said he was engaging on a trip to Ghana.

    The tribunal later adjourned to June 15 for continuation of trial.

  • Buhari writes Senate over medical vacation

    Buhari writes Senate over medical vacation

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter informing the Senate about his medical vacation in the United Kingdom was Tuesday read on the floor of the Senate.

    The letter entitled “Medical vacation” read by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, was dated June 6th June, 2016.

    President Buhari said in the letter addressed to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, “In compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, I wish to inform the Distinguished Senate that I will be away on a short medical vacation from 6th-16th of June 2016, and while I am away, the Vice President will perform the functions of my office.

    “Please accept, as always assurances of my highest esteemed consideration.”

    The President travelled to the United Kingdom on Monday to rest as well as seek medical attention to an ear weakness.

  • Amended electoral law ready before 2017, says Saraki

    Amended electoral law ready before 2017, says Saraki

    • Inconclusive elections to end next month-INEC boss

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Monday gave a matching order to the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all amendments to the 2010 Electoral Act are concluded before the end of 2016.

    Saraki’s directive came even as INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, assured that all pending inconclusive elections would be concluded before the end of next month.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on his part canvassed that institutionalization for early and direct primaries by political parties to make the country’s electoral process more credible and to deepen her democracy.

    Saraki, Yakubu and Ekweremadu spoke at a summit on elections with the theme “Legislating for electoral reform” organised by the Senate Committee on INEC.

    The summit specifically seeks to amend the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).

    The Senate President noted that the necessity to end amendment to the Electoral Act before 2017 was informed to ensure that the amendment did not run into the electioneering period.

    He noted that it becomes more difficult to amend the Act at the period of politics.

    Saraki said: “I have given the matching order that we must conclude the amendment on or at the end of the 2016. My view is that once politics starts it becomes more and more difficult to amend the Act. Especially these days that politics starts early, it is my expectation that by the end of 2016 we shall have amended the Electoral Act.”

    He said that the country’s electoral successes in the last general election has created the impression that “we have achieved electoral universality and integrity, but recent events and emerging issues have served as a reminder to us that there is still a lot of work to be done.”

    Describing the retreat as both timely and critical, Saraki said that the Senate should be aware that more than ever before the Nigerian people wanted a responsible government whose fate, they alone can determine.

    “It all starts with having a virile electoral system with impeccable integrity and universal application must be the minimum standards. We must fashion out an electoral scheme that does not disenfranchise any Nigerian, one that does not have room for ballot tampering and manipulation.

    “Electoral process must become routine and inviolable. This is attainable. The current National Assembly is poised to provide the missing gaps through its legislative interventions but we will be best served with the advice coming from your recommendations through the committee,” Saraki insisted.

    He asked the committee to consider the demand of Nigerians in the Diaspora to be included in the electoral process and the germane issue of the voting opportunity of IDPs and people living in severely challenged hard to reach areas either due to security or other unforeseen challenges.

    He added, “It will be important to take another look at the role of our security personnel from the Police, to the Department of State Security and the Military. This is especially so in the light of certain revelations to the effect that the previous government had signed into law an amendment to the Electoral Act empowering the military to be used during elections for a variety of reasons.

    “It should be borne in mind that the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2015 had in fact made far reaching amendments on the role of the Police before and during elections especially the issue of holding of rallies and meetings by political parties (S.94) and the role and operational deployment of the Armed Forces during elections (S.29). These provisions were designed as an attempt to ensure the democratic character of free and fair elections.”

    He said that the retreat will be expected to deliberate on and come up with a clear direction for the Senate on issue of the card reader and the desirability or otherwise of using the card reader exclusively for accreditation and voting in the electoral process.

    He also talked about a framework for Independent candidature – how best to operationalise and ensure that no candidate is placed in a vulnerable or compromised position by a party or external factors  but rather ensure that the electoral system provided to all equal access and a chance to aspire as they deem fit.

    According to Ekweremadu, late conduct of primaries by political parties owing mainly to constitutional restrictions posed serious challenges to the electoral system, while the parties’ penchant for indirect primaries had undermined internal democracy in the political parties.

    Stressing the need for Nigeria to learn from international best practices, Ekweremadu said: “In the United States of America, presidential primaries for presidential candidates start about 12 months to the election, culminating in the convention, which is usually a celebration of an already known candidate of the party.

    “In Ghana, although neither the Constitution nor the Electoral Act gives any specific period for the conduct of presidential and parliamentary primaries, individual parties have provisions in their respective constitutions for early primaries.

    “For example, Article 11 (2)(b) of the NPP Constitution provides that “parliamentary candidates shall be elected at least twelve (12) months before the National General Election” while Article 12 provides that the party’s primary election for the nomination of the presidential candidate shall be held not later than twenty-four (24) months from the date of the national elections”.

    He described the benefits of early primaries as manifold.

    He said early primaries would allow the winning candidates in the early primaries the foothold to raise sufficient campaign funds for the larger contests.

    He added: “Early primaries afford parties and candidates the time to visit every part of the country/constituency.

    “It also allows them to initiate and shape the national conversation about their identity and future direction, defining ideologies and manifesto.

    “Early primaries will help the judiciary to conclude all pre-election litigations and assist the election management body to have ample time to plan and deliver credible elections”.

    Ekweremadu further argued that with early primaries, “resources expended on conduct of bye-elections over the fielding of the wrong candidates or omission of candidates will also be drastically reduced”, adding that knowing early enough whether they have their parties’ tickets or not would also enable elected political office holders to plan ahead for life after their tenure.

    The lawmaker, who also canvassed staggered primaries, said that holding primaries in different states on different dates for presidential aspirants, for instance, would “allow the optimization of the use of resources such as security forces and increases the possibility of closer scrutiny and transparency and management”.

    On the imperatives of direct primaries, Ekweremadu regretted that while Section 87 (2) of the Electoral Act provides for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions through direct or indirect primaries, parties had always favoured indirect primaries, which, according to him, were less transparent, participatory, and democratic.

    To this end, he suggested the amendment of Section 87 of the Electoral Act to make the conduct of direct primaries compulsory for all political parties, noting that presently, mandatory direct primaries only apply to the election of councillorship candidates.

    While further noting that direct primaries were the sure way of “returning power back to the people, Ekweremadu also said “Such would ensure that the process of nominating candidates is credible, transparent, fully participatory, and democratic as well as reduce electoral disputes within the party and restore confidence and internal democracy”.

    Prof, Yakubu cited some challenges confronting INEC since the 2015 elections as part of the reasons for the .inconclusive elections.

    The INEC boss also noted that said since the conclusion of the 2015 general election, the electoral empire had conducted a total number of 129 elections including 49 rerun elections out of the 80 nullified polls by elections petitions tribunals; 10 bye-elections in various constituencies resulting from the death of members of state and national assemblies; 68 elections in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and two end of tenure elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, among others.

    He said that 23 election certificates were withdrawn in accordance with court rulings and such certificates re-presented to rightful winners of elections in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

    He canvassed the need for an amendment to the 2010 Electoral Act with a view to ensuring that candidates whose elections are nullified as a result of improper nominations by their parties should have their certificates re-issued to the runners-up.

    Doing so, he said, would save the nation the huge cost of conducting fresh elections in such circumstances.

    Prof. Yakubu urged the committee to ensure the inclusion of card readers in the Electoral Act ahead of the conduct of the next general elections.

    Such provision, he said, should also cover the use of other forms of technology to enable INEC have the full fledged power to deploy any technological innovation it deems fit without any legal hindrance.

    The INEC boss who accused political parties of compounding electoral challenges by failing to properly nominate candidates, recalled how some elections were cancelled because parties nominated ex-convicts, under-age candidates, certificates forgers, among other renegades in the country.

    In the same vein, he asked the National Assembly to consider an amendment which will name a specific candidate to inherit the result of an election if a candidate at an election dies before the announcement of election result as was the case in Kogi State following the death of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Abubakar Audu, at the November 2015 Kogi governorship election.

  • Lawyer’s ill-health stalls hearing in Saraki’s appeal

    Lawyer’s ill-health stalls hearing in Saraki’s appeal

    The hearing of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki’s appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal, Abuja on Thursday, against the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has been stalled again.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inability of the court to sit on the matter stemmed from a reported ill health of the applicant’s (Saraki) counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).

    The Senate President is being tried at the tribunal for alleged false and anticipatory declaration of his asset while serving as governor of Kwara.

    The Federal Government had also alleged that the applicant violated the country’s Money Laundering law.

    However, Saraki, who denied any wrong doing, is challenging the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him.

    Agabi had transmitted a letter to the presiding Judge, Justice Abdul Aboki, seeking an adjournment on account of his ill-health.

    NAN further reports that the application was not opposed by the respondent’s counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacob (SAN).

    “In view of the letter sent to this panel from the applicant’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, seeking adjournment on account of ill health and since this prayer is not opposed, the court will grant it.
    “The hearing of the appeal is hereby adjourned until July 18,’’ Aboki said.

    NAN recalls that hearing of the appeal was stalled on May 31, as the panel could not form the mandatory quorum to hear the matter.

    Justice Moore Adumien, leading two other justices, fixed the matter to June 2.

     

  • Saraki seeks more powers for ECOWAS parliament

    Saraki seeks more powers for ECOWAS parliament

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called for more powers for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, if the aim of the sub-region to achieve full integration is to be realized.

    Saraki made the call in his speech at the opening of the First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Monday through a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja.

    According to the statement, the Senate President said that though the ECOWAS parliament is evolving in the right direction, it was his fervent hope that members of the sub region will begin to invest in it, more responsibility and opportunity as a sure path to creating the right structure for closer integration of the sub-region.

    Saraki said: “The ECOWAS sub-region has come a long way in pursuit of integration and development. However, what is clear today is that we need to do more. Other regional bodies, including those who we inspired have moved faster towards integration than we have.

    “Sadly, this has been due to our inability to add to the institutional building blocks and muster the courage to reorder our structures for the vision of a virile and integrated ECOWAS.

    “The ECOWAS Parliament remains a critical place to start. We must as a necessity, give the parliament greater authorization and capacity to duly legislate in common areas and provide oversight on certain issues of common interest and interdependency.

    “For as long as we are unable to, or fail to remit to this parliament more power, the dreams for greater integration will remain a myth. This singular reason may be responsible for the lack of adequate cohesion in the fight against terrorism, cross border crimes and the implementation of agreed trade agreements and protocols.

    “With greater oversight and authorization, it is possible that we would see greater inroads made in the areas of the enforcement of ECOWAS regional trade agreements and instruments especially the Common External Tariff Order,” he said.

    He said that the ECOWAS Parliament has shown itself as a primer of integration and a key instrument for stability in the sub region having utilised ‘its instruments to provide opinions on various issues such as infrastructural development, migration, public health and investment referred to it by other Community Institutions, especially the ECOWAS Commission; with the aim to positively impact on the standards of living of West African citizens.’

    He noted that there has been a significant increase in the level of cross boarder businesses in the sub-region – with investment criss-crossing regional boundaries by nationals of the ECOWAS region – as a result of the implementation of the free movement of goods and persons across the region.

    While saying that the policy on free movement of goods and persons is beginning to bear significant fruits across the length and breath of the region, he lamented that “very little is being done to provide the right legal and institutional inter-ECOWAS-states frameworks that would guarantee and insulate these enterprising citizens from discriminatory practices, anti competition, human rights abuse and the possibility of host bias in the treatment of conflicts arising from their cross-border enterprise.

    “This further underscores the need for us to act together to encourage this free flow of capital as a means to deepen our integration and avoid the possibility of recoiling our gains by enabling the parliament have more powers to make laws and fill in the legislative gaps where necessary to aid our regional development agenda,” he said.

    He however reiterated the support and assistance of the nation’s National Assembly to the work of the ECOWAS parliament as it strives to provide the necessary legislative leadership for greater development of the ECOWAS region.

    While the region is proud that the Parliament has done creditably well in fulfilling its mandate according to the Senate President, he noted that “in recent times, we have seen the scourge of terrorism cut through and expose the weaknesses of our regional integration efforts as our various governments scrambled to find a foothold for proper coordination of intelligence, resource mobilization and rapid response to terror threats.

    “This weakness we also witnessed in the coordination of responses to the spread of Ebola virus in 2015. These are glaring cases in which we were severely examined and our imperfect union exposed.

    “While these may have happened, we have also shown resilience and our leaders shown ingenuity in coming up with measures that have helped us contain these scourges.

    “However, they remain stark reminders of the challenges ahead and the need for us to revisit our protocols and treaties in order to create a more virile union that can help us deal with the challenges of the 21st century.

    “As we speak, the average citizen of the ECOWAS is yet to feel meaningfully the impact of the ECOWAS union beyond free movement of persons and goods. This is another reason I believe the enhancement of the ECOWAS Parliament remit merits deliberation,” he said.

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  • I was ‘extremely rich’ before becoming Kwara gov – Saraki

    I was ‘extremely rich’ before becoming Kwara gov – Saraki

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki said Tuesday that he was “extremely rich” before he became Kwara State governor in 2003.

    He said he had $22million US dollars, about 12million pounds, 2.6m Euro and about N4billion in cash in his various accounts.

    Aside the liquid asset, Saraki said he also possessed landed property estimated at N2billion and 15 vehicles valued at about N263.4m.

    He gave details of the vehicles he acquired as at 2003 to include: Mercedes X320, valued at N16m; Mercedes X500 worth N20m; Mercedes G500, valued at N6m; Mercedes V220 worth 2m and Ferrari456GT, valued at N25m.

    Others are:  Navigator, N15m, MN240 worth N8.5m; Peugeot 406, valued at N2.9m; Mercedes CLK 320 worth N9m; Mercedes E320 valued at N11m; Mercedes G500 bullet proof, worth N45m; Mercedes X500 worth N300m; Lexus jeep Bullet proof, valued at N30m and Lincoln Navigator Bullet Proof worth N25m.

    Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN) made this public Tuesday at the resumption of the Senate President’s trial for false asset declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Abuja.

    Erokoro, who was cross-examining the first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas, identified the assets as claimed by Saraki in the asset declaration form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2003.

    Erokoro said he needed to point out that his client was very rich before he became Kwara State governor to erase the wrong impression created by the prosecution that, he could not have acquired the property he claimed to have, without obtaining loans from banks

    The lawyer was however silent on the source of his client’s wealth and how he came about all the property and cash he claimed to have possessed before he became governor in 2003.

    However, Saraki’s profile, as contained in “Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia,” indicated that he was born on 19 December 1962 and studied at the London Hospital Medical College of the University of London from 1982 to 1987, when he obtained his M.B.B.S (London).

    He worked as a medical officer at Rush Green Hospital, Essex, from 1988 to 1989 and was a director of Société Générale Bank (Nig) Ltd from 1990 to 2000. The bank founded by his now late father, Olusola Saraki, had its operating licence withdrawn in January 2006, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    In 2000, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed Saraki as Special Assistant to the President on Budget, a position he held until he became governor.

    When asked if it was possible for Saraki to have made anticipatory declaration of asset, Wetkas insisted it was not about whether or not such practice was possible, but that investigation and evidence have shown that the Senate President actually engaged in anticipatory asset declaration.

    The witness pointed out that, in the asset declaration form submitted to the CCB by Saraki in 2003, he claimed to have acquired houses Nos: 15A and 15B Macdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, when in actual fact, such property do not exist.

    Wetkas, a detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said, investigation revealed that the only property with similar description was No15 and Block 15 Flat 1 to 4 Mcdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    “In the course of our investigation, when we came across this No.15 A and B, Ikoyi, Lagos, we wrote to the Presidential Implementation Committee on the disposal of Federal Government Landed Property. We also wrote to the Lagos Land Registry.

    “The Lagos Land Registry said they do not have records of No.15A and B, McDonald. The Presidential Committee said the record they have on their system is No.15 Mcdonald, which was sold to the company, TinyTee Ltd, and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4 Mcdonald Ikoyi, which was sold to another company, Bitti Oil Ltd.

    “The evidence I gave was that No: 15 Mcdonald was sold to TinyTee Ltd, belonging to the defendant, which we did not see declared as part of his assets in all the declaration forms, about 6 in all.

    In my testimony on 5th April 2016 I had said the defendant declared, in his asset declaration form – Exhibit 1, in appendix 3, that he bought No: 15A and B, McDonald, Ikoyi, Lagos sometime in 2000 through his company called Calile Properties Ltd, whereas our findings reveals that  No:15 was actually purchased by his company, TinyTee, not Calile sometime in 2006.

    “We also found that the second property : Block 15 Flat 1 -4 was sold to Bitti Oil Ltd, investigation is yet to link the defendant with that company,” Wetkas said.

    As Wetkas testified, Saraki, who wore white agbada and a cap, sat quietly in the “accused box.”

    At a point, Erokoro attempted to discredit the form submitted by Saraki in 2003, which he signed on September 16, 2003, by claiming that it must have been tampered with.

    Erokoro hinged his suspicion on his belief that it was impossible for Saraki to have contemplated as at 2003, of buying the Ikoyi property in 2006 and thereby included it in his 2003 asset declaration form.

    In reacting to Erokoro’s position, Wetkas said it was only Saraki, who signed the document, admitting his claims on it that could explain the reason for what Erokoro thinks seems impossible.

    “The Exhibit 1 (the 2003 form) was signed and dated by Saraki on September 16, 2003. As far as I am concerned, Exhibit 1 was duly signed and dated by the defendant on September 16, 2003.

    “I did not insert the properties in the form. Asset declaration form is not just any document. The person declaring his assets is expected to go before a High Court judge to swear on oath. They swear to affidavit, so it is believed that all he swore to, and appended his signature to the truth.  I do not need to see him in person or confront him to believe that his declaration in the form is true,” Wetkas said.

    Earlier, the witness, who was handed an electric calculator by Erokoro, to calculate the value of Saraki’s asset, as stated in the 2003 form, said inquiry into some of his bank accounts and those of some members of his immediate family revealed that Saraki was worth more than N1.5billion as at 2003

    “By Appendix 7A of Exhibit 1, the defendant’s wife’s account in EcoBank showed N1, 500,000 as cahs balance.

    “At page 6 of Exhibit 1: Cash at bank in Nigeria added up to N1, 100,000 in Société General Bank, in the name of Tosin and Seni Saraki (his children below 18 years as at 2003).

    At 3.30 pm, lead defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) sought an adjournment, which the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar reluctantly agreed to.

    Umar reminded Agabi that parties had agreed at the commencement of proceedings, that the tribunal will only rise at 4pm.

    The tribunal Chairman however changed his mind when other fence lawyers, including Paul Usoro (SAN) added their voices to Agabi’s request.

    Only about three Senators were identified at yesterday’s proceedings as against the practice in the past when up to 20 Senators were always attending every sitting.

    The regulars: Dino Melaye (who occasionally served food and drinks to other Senators when they attend proceedings), Samuel Anyawu and Tayo Alasoadura were absent at yesterday’s proceedings.

    Also, Ajibola Oluyede, the lawyer, who suddenly appeared in the defence team at the previous proceedings to move a motion seeking Umar’s disqualification, was also absent yesterday.

    Further hearing resumes Wednesday.

     

  • Anti-Corruption War: Saraki seeks private-public partnership

    Anti-Corruption War: Saraki seeks private-public partnership

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Monday  called for closer collaboration between private organizations with the Federal Government for an effective fight against corruption.

    Saraki gave the charge when he played host to the executive members of the Institute of Directors (IOD), led by its President/Chairman of Governing Council, Mr. Samuel Yemi Akeju, in his office in Abuja.

    He said it is part of the 8th Senate’s Legislative Agenda to contribute maximally towards the elimination of corrupt tendencies in the country.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, said that Saraki told his guests that the Executive arm of government is on the same page with the National Assembly in resuscitating the economy, ensuring adequate security and alleviating unemployment across board.

    The Senate President was quoted to have said, “Our agenda in the Senate and that of the present administration is geared towards improving the economic situation of our dear country, adequate security and fight against corruption.

    “The fight against corruption is key to this administration and we are in full support of this task. I want to call on the Institute of Directors of Nigeria to join the fight in every capacity to bring to normalcy ways of doing things and take our nation out of economic doldrums.”

    He recalled that the 8th Senate from inception have been an inclusive Senate.

    He said, “We had meetings with players in Public and private sectors on how to amend our outdated laws and make them acceptable and blend with the modern trend.

    “That is the major reason why we seek collaboration and support of private organizations and bodies like Institute of Directors of Nigeria in ensuring that government’s actions and approaches are directed towards providing better lives Nigerians.”

    Akeju was quoted to have said that the 8th Senate since inception has lived up to the yearnings of the people in terms of professionalism and legislation adding that if sustained, it will give room for best practices in all ramifications of governance.

    Akeju who unfolded the purpose of the visit to the Senate President said the Institute has agreed to present a draft Bill to the National Assembly on the workings of the Institute saying the Bill when passed into Law will further boost the day to day activities in the business world.

    He said that the IOD, as a foremost organization in the country, will continue to play the leadership role saying over the last two years, the Institute has inducted over 800 Directors just as he suggested a mandatory membership for lawmakers in the National Assembly.

     

  • Budget 2016 shows we can work together for people – Saraki

    Budget 2016 shows we can work together for people – Saraki

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, said on Friday that the signing of the appropriation bill into law showed that the legislative and executive arms could come together to work for the electorate.

    Saraki said this in his remark at the signing of the N6.06 trillion appropriation bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari

    “We have shown again that, despite the challenges, we can come together again and work as a government in the interest of the people that put us here.

    “We should look at the good sides and more and we forge ahead.

    “The most important part in the signing is the implementation, to ensure it is to the benefit of Nigerians who waited,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the Senate president as saying at the event.

    Saraki said reports that the budget could be signed had raised the tempo of activities in the country.

    “So, you can see the interest of our people; so, the onus lies on all of us to ensure implementation,’’ he said.

  • We’ve verified assets of Buhari, Osinbajo, others – CCB

    We’ve verified assets of Buhari, Osinbajo, others – CCB

    The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) said Wednesday that it has completed the verification of assets declared by President Mohammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and others top officials of the current administration.

    The agency said, in a statement Wednesday that it was not true, as reported by a newspaper, that it was yet to conclude the verification of assets declared by Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki and others.

    CCB’s Head, Press and Protocol Unit, Mohammad Idris said, in the statement, that more than ever before, the rate of compliance to assets declaration requirement by public officers has increased since the inception of this administration.

    “The said publication is another trick to misinform the public so as to undermine the on-going trials of cases of false declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    “Since the inception of the present administration under President Muhammadu Buhari, the rate of compliance by public officials in responding to assets declaration has greatly increased.

    “The Bureau will like to use this medium to appeal to those who are yet to declare their Assets to visit the Asokoro Head office of No 23, Halle Salasi Street Asokoro, Abuja to collect, fill and submit same to the office,” Idris said.