6 Abnormal Things About My CCT Trial — Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has said that said many things are wrong with his on-going trial at the Code Of Conduct Tribunal, CCT.

Dr. Saraki stated this in an exclusive interview with DailyTrust Newspaper over the weekend.

Saraki said: “So many things in that trial are abnormal. People who have been following that case already know that it has collapsed. So I have no fear about it and we will not put it on the table”.

“If you look at the case, it is not a normal case. But we have gone through the process, we are coming to the end of it and I am confident that insha Allah I shall be vindicated.”

He listed abnormal things about the case as follows:

1. EFCC has no business taking a case to CCT.

2. This is the first time that CCB will take anyone to court without first asking him to come and write a statement.

3. This is the first time that EFCC will prosecute a case at CCT.

4. This was an issue that happened 13 years ago even though they say that criminal issues have no limitation of time.

5. I was never invited to make a statement

6. The case is political

EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu To Be Screened By Nigerian Senate Today

Ibrahim Magu

The acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, would face Nigerian Senate today as the substantive chairman of the anti-graft agency.

Senate President , Bukola Saraki stated this at plenary on Tueaday.

Saraki said:”Tomorrow (today), we have the acting chairman of EFCC, who is also appearing before us for screening and it will follow at11:30 am.”

It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had forwarded Magu’s name to the Senate on June 2016 for confirmation. He was appointed in acting capacity by President Buhari on November 9, 2015, following the sack of his predecessor, Ibrahim Lamorde.

What Saraki, Dogara Discussed With Buhari (Details)

Powerful Nigerian leaders, the speaker of the house and the senate president who together held a meeting at Aso Rock with Mr. President reveals to state journalists that they all discuss matter of “National Interest” Premium Times reports that the meeting was held for 40 minutes.

Tori News reports that Saraki, Dogara arrives Aso villa exactly 12:00noon in the same car to hold a close door meeting with president buhari

Mr. Saraki told State House correspondents that the president “engaged them very well”.

He said they specifically “came to discuss issues and activities of the National Assembly during the absence of the president”.

Mr. Saraki said the meeting centred on the “budget, the economy, CBN, Euro bond, the issue of the ambassadorial list, the stability in the Niger Delta, and a whole range of issues”.

Mr. Saraki said the Senate has a target to pass the 2017 budget this month.

On his perception of the president’s state of health, the senate president said Mr. Buhari met with them for 40 minutes, adding “I was not talking to myself.? He is doing very well, we discussed issues of national interest”.

On his part, Mr. Dogara said they were not at the villa to assess the president’s health.

He said the journalists who are always there surely knew the president was doing well.

On the relationship between the executive and legislature, Mr. Dogara said it was not in the place of the legislature to fight the executive.

“We fight on issues but mostly issues of national interest. We fight on behalf of the people for the purpose of progress.

“There is one government and no division. If he fails, we all fail, so it is in realisation of this that we always extend the needed support to ensure that he succeeds, so that the government will be rated as a success,” he said.

BREAKING! Saraki, Dogara Meets Buhari In Aso Villa, Abuja

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, have arrived the Presidential Villa, Abuja to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to Vanguard, the two National Assembly leaders who drove in the same car to the Villa, reportedly arrived for the meeting just after 12noon, and are presently in a closed-door meeting in the president’s office.

More details shortly

Senate President, Bukola Saraki Launches #MadeInNigeria Challenge Competition

Saraki

The senate president, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday launched a contest to promote Made in Nigeria products.

The contest which will run for the best three months is aimed at showcasing the process and raw materials used in producing such locally made goods.

A statement signed by Bamikole Omishore, special assistant on New Media to the Senate President said that the contest will identify the good products that could be matched with investors and relevant government agencies.

He said that such agencies or investors would drive the products to the extent that they compete favourably with any similar product being imported.

“Today, as promised, we kick-start the soft launch of the #MadeInNigeria Challenge.This campaign is organized to showcase everyday products that are used by Nigerians and produced by Nigerians locally that serve as alternative to imported products.

“The next few weeks, we hope to identify products and ideas that can be matched with investors and government agencies. To wrap up the Challenge, in March, we will be inviting some of the finalist to a Made In Nigeria Roundtable at the Senate.

“This roundtable will allow us – legislators, government agencies, business owners, and everyday Nigerian consumers to review and update the report of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER), which was held in 2016 to improve the ease of doing business in the country,” he said.

Saraki added that the roundtable would also be used to get feedback on the amendment to the Public Procurement Act passed by the Senate in 2016.

The amended Act mandates government agencies to give preference to local manufacturers in the procurement of goods and services.

Saraki’s aide added that from feedback received from Nigerians, people want to see improved ease of doing business, access to funding, effective oversight on agencies to make sure they are actually giving preference to Made In Nigeria and most importantly to make sure clear guidelines that are accessible online are set by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Export Promotion Council, etc.

He wished all the participants good luck and called on Nigerians to use the hashtag #MadeInNigeria in their submitted videos for the competition.

#MadeInNigeria

Buhari, Saraki Held A Close Meeting Today At Abuja

Earlier today, President Buhari had a closed door meeting with Senate president, Bukola Saraki, at the state house, Abuja today. The meeting which held inside President Buhari's private office, started at about 12 noon.
The outcome of the meeting is yet to be known

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2017 Budget | Buhari, Saraki Holds Close Door Meeting

President Muhammadu Buhari and the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday met behind closed doors as part of preparation towards the presentation of the 2017 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.

The meeting was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Federal Executive Council had on Wednesday approved the document, paving the way for Buhari to present it to the federal lawmakers.

The Minister of Budget, Udo Udoma, had told State House correspondents that it would be at the discretion of the National Assembly to decide when the budget would be presented after the President must have communicated his intention to them.

Saraki told reporters after the meeting with the President that the document would be presented within the next 10 days.

He expressed optimism that with the level of works that had gone into the preparation, the budget would be passed into law by the National Assembly earlier than that of previous ones.

He said, “I came for consultation with the President on a number of national issues. We are all getting towards the end of the year, getting the budget. Just regular consultation.

“We are ready, once the document comes to us, we are ready. I think this time around, a lot of works have taken place behind the scene.

“There is a lot more collaboration and you will see the result of that in the timeframe it will take after the President will have presented it.”

Why Senate Rejected Increase In Price Of Data – Saraki

Bukola Saraki

The Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, has explained why the Senate rejected the plan by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to increase the price of data.

Saraki stated that the Senate will continue to make sure Nigerians had access to affordable Internet.

He was speaking, after the NCC suspended the plan to hike data tarriffs on Wednesday, following an order from the upper house to halt the move which was to begin December 1.

“Today, the Senate condemned the proposed increase of data tariffs by Service Providers, in line with the directive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),” he said.

“We strongly believe that we must protect the Nigerian people that sent us to Abuja to represent their interests from the height of the irresponsible plan that has been put forward by the NCC.

“At a time when the cost of living has gone up for all Nigerians, due to inflation being at 18.3%, the NCC’s actions have implicitly mandated the service providers to increase their costs to maintain their profits. This is unacceptable.

“I have seen the power of the internet — and how it serves to give a voice to the voiceless, and a platform for millions to air their views. This is why the Senate will continue to maintain that access to the internet remains affordable for all Nigerians.

“On this note, the Senate has resolved to: – Halt the new tariff proposal by the NCC; – Mandate the Senate Committee on Communications to conduct thorough oversight on the process that brought it about; and ensure that Nigerians are always carried along when such processes are considered”, he added.

Buhari Receives Saraki At State House, Held A Close Meeting

President Muhammed Buhari received the senate president, Senate Bukola Saraki at aso rock for a brief meeting, Inner source told Onenigeriablog.com that their meeting held was related to the multi billion dollars loan the federal government are planning to obtain

We hope they discussed well

BREAKING: Court Of Appeal Dismisses Saraki’s CCT Trial

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has again affirmed the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on charges bordering on assets declaration breaches before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Saraki, the Justice Abdul Aboki-led panel of the appeal court on Thursday affirmed the CCT’s jurisdiction after dismissing the appeal filed by Saraki challenging his trial before the tribunal.

All the four other members of the panel unanimously agreed with the lead judgment delivered by Justice Aboki‎ who resolved all the eight issues formulated for determination against Saraki.

In affirming the earlier ruling of the Danladi Umar-led CCT affirming the tribunal’s jurisdiction, Justice Aboki held among others that contrary to Saraki’s contention, the Attorney-General of the Federation had the power to institute charges against him before the CCT.

The appeal court also held that under the Constitution, the Code of Conduct wa‎s not under any obligation to invite the appellant to enable him to make written admission of breaches in his asset declaration forms before charges could be initiated against him.

It held that the tribunal had rightly departed from its earlier decision exonerating a former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu‎ on account that he was not invited by the CCB to confront him with the allegations levelled against him.

The court also held that the fact that the charges were initiated 13‎ years after the offences were allegedly committed was immaterial.

Justice Aboki described the contention as sentimental which the court had been enjoined not to delve into.

This was the second time the appeal court would be delivering judgment on the same subject matter of jurisdiction of the CCT to try the Senate President.

The Court of Appeal had last year ruled against Saraki on the jurisdiction of the CCT and asked him to proceed to face the 16 counts preferred against him.

The judgment of the appeal court was validated by the Supreme Court in February.

Eh! Saraki In Fresh Move To Stop His Code Of Conduct Trial

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki has initiated a fresh move aimed at neutralizing his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

This time, he has filed a new suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking among others, to restrain CCT and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) (who are listed as respondents) from proceeding with his trial.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/117/2016 was filed by one Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, who claimed to be “suing as attorney to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki”.

The new suit, a fundamental rights enforcement application, is one of the various attempts by Saraki to stop his trial before the CCT for alleged corruption and false assets declaration.

Saraki had challenged his trial up to the Supreme Court and lost. He has also lost past fundamental rights enforcement applications, the last being the one dismissed on April 15, 2016 by Justice Adamu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Now another one. In the new suit, the applicant seeks the court’s declaration that “plan to resume the trial of Senator Abubakar Saraki at the CCT is a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing. Senate President, Bukola Saraki has initiated a fresh move aimed at neutralising his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

This time, he has filed a new suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking among others, to restrain CCT and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) (who are listed as respondents) from proceeding with his trial.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/117/2016 was filed by one Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, who claimed to be “suing as attorney to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki”.

The new suit, a fundamental rights enforcement application, is one of the various attempts by Saraki to stop his trial before the CCT for alleged corruption and false assets declaration.

Saraki had challenged his trial up to the Supreme Court and lost. He has also lost past fundamental rights enforcement applications, the last being the one dismissed on April 15, 2016 by Justice Adamu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Now another one. In the new suit, the applicant seeks the court’s declaration that “plan to resume the trial of Senator Abubakar Saraki at the CCT is a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing.

National Assembly Can No Longer Steal Our Money With Impunity

According to Abayomi who has been fighting this oddity since 2002 and has a case in court about it, there is nothing like constituency project since the National Assembly has NO power, whatever, to insert any project in a budget, the Nation reports.

Senator Bukola Saraki Receives FIFA President in his Office Today (Photos)

Senate President Bukola Saraki shared these photos on social media of the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, in his office at the national assembly today. The FIFA boss is in Nigeria for a 2-day visit.

Saraki pleads not guilty to amended 16 counts

Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to amended 16 counts preferred against him by the Federal Government before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The amendment to the original 13 counts added fresh counts including his failure to declare his interest in a foreign credit card account to which he allegedly transferred huge sums of money to while being Governor of Kwara State.

‎Originally, the Federal Government preferred against Saraki,13 counts, including charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration, as well as operation of foreign accounts, which he allegedly committed while being Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

Saraki was re-arraigned before the tribunal on Thursday because of the amendment to the charges which added three fresh counts to the original 13 counts.

There have been two amendments of the original 13 counts which now brings the counts against the Senate President to 16.

The first amendment which brought in additional two counts  was made on April 18, 2016 while the latest made on April 27, 2016, added one fresh count.

The charges dated April 18 were withdrawn on Thursday.

The latest amendment was introduced by the prosecution and  accepted by the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, after overruling the defence led by Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN).

Umar ruled on Thursday that contrary to Usoro’s contention, the prosecution, under section 216(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,  argued that ‎the prosecution was not required to file a motion to give the reasons for the amendment before it could be accepted by the tribunal.

The additional charges are contained in Counts 14 to 16.

‎In Count 14, the prosecution alleged that  Saraki committed another infraction in his asset declaration form  which he made to the Code of Conduct Bureau on June 3, 2011 at the end of his second tenure as Governor of Kwara State.

In the said Count 14, Saraki was said to have failed to declare his interest in “an American Express Service Card with No: 374588216836009 wherein you (Saraki) transferred huges sums of money in dollars from your Guaranty Trust Bank domiciliary account No441441953210 in Nigeria to the American Express Service, Europe, whilst you Executive Governor of Kwara State.”

Source: PunchNG

Saraki to face fresh count of failure to declare card account

Bukola Saraki

The Federal Government has again re-amended the charges preferred against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

There have been two amendments of the original 13 counts which now brings the counts against the Senate President to 16.

The first amendment which brought in additional two counts  was made on April 18, 2016 while the latest made on April 27, 2016, added one fresh count.

The charges dated April 18 were withdrawn on Thursday.

The latest amendment was introduced by the prosecution  accepted by the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, after overruling the defence led by Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), who argued that ‎the prosecution required a motion to give the reasons for the amendment before the tribunal could accept it.

‎The prosecution alleged in the latest count that on June 3, 2011, Saraki failed to declare his interest in “an American Express Service Card with No: 374588216836009 wherein you (Saraki) transferred huges sums of money in dollars from your Guaranty Trust Bank domiciliary account No 441441953210 in Nigeria to the American Express Service, Europe, whilst you Executive Governor of Kwara State.”

The offence is said to be contrary to section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, CAP. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) and (2), Part I o the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

It is said to be punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

The charges will be read to the defendant who will plead either guilty or not guilty to it when the tribunal resumes from its break.

The defence will then continue the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas.

Originally, the Federal Government preferred against Saraki,13 counts, including charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration, as well as operation of foreign accounts, which he allegedly committed while being Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

The first amendment added two charges which, include allegation that Saraki continued to receive salary and emoluments as Governor of Kwara State after the expiration of his tenue and at the same time, from the Federal Government as a senator between June 2011 and October 2013.

The offence is said to be contrary to section 6(a) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 2(a), Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

It is said to be punishable under section 23(2) of the code of conduct bureau and tribunal act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

The other additional charge is that Saraki failed to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau on assumption of office as Governor of Kwara State in 2003, his leasehold interest leasehold in the property at 42, Remi Fani Kayode Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

He was said to have acquired the property  in December 12, 1996 through his company, Skyview Properties Limited from First Finance trust Limited.

The offence is said to be contrary to 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 paragraph 11(1) and (2), Part I o the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

It is said to be punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

Source: Punch Ng