So-called forgery case against me is another wanton abuse of the judicial process- Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki, has described the allegations of forgery of senate standing order leveled against him and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu by the Federal government as another wanton abuse of the judicial process and making a mockery of the institution of justice.

In a statement released by his special adviser on media and publicity, Yusuf Olaniyonu yesterday June 22nd, Saraki said some people were trying to implicate him in keeping with their declared vow to ensure that even if their current efforts to nail him through the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) fails, they would find other ways to carry out their vendetta.

CCT: Bank documents against Saraki burnt in GTB- Witness says

As the trial of the senate president Bukola Saraki continues at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the prosecution witness and an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas, yesterday, told the tribunal that part of the financial documents indicting Saraki for money laundering had been destroyed in a fire incident at Guaranty Trust Banks, one of the banks said to have been used by Saraki.

The Senate, CCT and the politics of Saraki’s trial By Reuben Abati

The present Senate serving the Nigerian people runs the risk of being remembered as the worst since 1999.  Public Relations Consultants and media officials of this particular Senate have done their part flooding both the print and the online media with details of how productive the Bukola Saraki-led Senate has been, and they have been quite aggressive in telling us about 30 important Bills which when passed, will change the face of Nigeria and deliver change.

The Senate according to one report has considered over 125 bills, debated over 48 motions, and passed three bills. But nobody is apparently impressed. During the Jonathan administration, the Senate was the better regarded of the two legislative chambers. While members of the House of Representatives in the Seventh Assembly behaved as if they were a band of students’ unionists, the then Red Chamber projected an image of maturity and temperance, even if it was also self-serving! With the 8th Assembly, the House of Representatives, apart from the shameful resort to physical combat over the distribution of “juicy” committees in November 2015, has shown itself to be better organized than the present Senate. The critical difference is that of leadership. It is one of management. It is a matter of weight and politics. 

The Made In Nigeria Campaign by Reuben Abati

There has been renewed talk lately about the need for Nigerians to patronize locally made goods, (someone should have added… and services!). Championed by Senator Ben Murray Bruce, and supported by the Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajia Aisha Abubakar and a large crowd of online campaigners, so much ink, saliva, and emotions have been invested in this old, and perhaps boring story.

Senator Bruce, who goes by the moniker “the Commonsense Senator” even introduced a hashtag #BuyNaijaToGrowtheNaira. He hasn’t quite explained the connection, but with the exchange rate melting down and the Naira yo-yoing, everyone including our neighbourhood electrician, and his friend, the battery charger, have both become experts on the fortunes of the national currency. Senator Saraki has promised that the Public Procurement Act will be amended by the 8th National Assembly to make it mandatory for the government to patronize locally made goods. Minister Aisha Abubakar has proposed a “Patronise Naija Products Campaign.”

Saraki's trial must go on- Suprem court rules

The Supreme court has ruled that Senate President, Bukola Saraki must continue his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). In a judgement delivered this morning, the apex court dismissed Saraki's appeal challenging the authority of the tribunal in trying him for a 13 count charge of asset falsification filed against him by the Federal government last year.

The apex court ruled that the tribunal had the constitutional power to try him and so his trial must continue.

President Buhari is not sincere with corruption fight – Sagay

Professor Itse Sagay, SAN, headed President Muhammadu Buhari’s advisory committee on anti-corruption. He speaks with OLAKUNLE TAIWO on the legal implications of the Kogi governorship election, why some key institutions are corrupt, the president’s integrity and his anti-graft crusade, among others. Excerpts:

AS a constitutional lawyer, what do you think would have been the right thing to do in Kogi when the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Audu Abubakar, died before the declaration of the results of the election?

You know the issue is new and there was no provision for such at all in the constitution, but somehow the decision should have been at the discretion of the Attorney-General of the Federation or the prerogative of the court to actually decide which way to go. It was like a lacuna or lawless case, where anybody can just act the way he feels, because there was no provision for it. So, both parties can do what they like and that is just it. Sincerely, there is an extent to which the case can be prosecuted legally, because having no provision for it, it has created a loophole for anybody to act anyhow. We will just be making noise. Therefore, in such a case, the judiciary or anybody can be influenced.

How do you mean sir?

'Again, count me out' - Saraki dismisses N310m robbery allegation

Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, December 8, dismissed claims that he was the owner of the N310m said to have been stolen during a robbery operation involving some military and State Security Service (SSS) officials. In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said the stolen money did not belong to him and that he did not know the owner, who is said to be a Bureau De Change operator.

We are ready to meet you in Court- Sahara Reporters to Saraki

  

Yesterday Senate President Bukola Saraki released a statement accusing Sahara Reporters of falsely associating him in the $2.1 billion arms deal scandal, adding that he will be pressing charges. The Founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore has replied him, saying they are ready to meet him in court

S’Court hears Saraki’s application to halt CCT trial today

The Supreme Court will on Thursday (today) hear an application by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, for stay of proceedings of his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 13 counts of false assets declaration.

It was learnt on Wednesday that the Federal Government, through its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had on Tuesday opposed the application for stay of proceedings, citing among other grounds, Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, which prohibits courts from entertaining such application.

Saraki, who filed his application through his lead counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), on November 3, 2015, wants the Supreme Court to halt his trial before the CCT pending the hearing and determination of his appeal before the apex court.

The Senate President had appealed to the Supreme Court against the October 30, 2015 judgment of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the competence of the charges instituted against him and the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him.

Ministerial Nomination Impasse: My story, by Amaechi

All eyes were on the Senate as the upper chambre screened 37 ministerial nominees sent to it for confirmation by President Muhammadu Buhari over the last two weeks. But none of the nominees proved as controversial as Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, whose screening had to be deferred at least once owing to the deluge of petitions against his nomination, and for which he had to face the Senate Ethics and Privileges Committee.

Finally, Amaechi was screened in plenary by the Senate on Thursday. The former governor tells his story in the course of the exercise. Excerpts: BY HENRY UMORU & JOSEPH ERUNKE

WHO IS CHIBUIKE ROTIMI AMAECHI? 

I happen to be one of the best Nigerians to have served as Speaker for eight years.   In the period   I served, Speakers were impeached almost on regular basis. I have also served as a governor   of Rivers State under the PDP, but during my second term, I was  governor   of Rivers State under APC. Distinguished senators, it is a rare privilege  to stand here today to address  you.  I believe that this   is my first time of  addressing the Senate and I thank you. I thank   the President for this privilege. Whether I become   a minister or I not, this will go in the history book of mine that I once addressed   the Senate   of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but   truly   at the mercy of the Senate.

And as you know, this is a hallowed  chamber, so I am deeply humbled and honoured that I have been   nominated   by the President and to have been give the chance to address you on what I thought    would   be the little   contributions    I have made to the development of Nigeria. I told you earlier that my name is Chibuike Amaechi, I am truly a Nigerian.

Copy of the second batch of ministerial list sent to the senate for confirmation

  

Shared by Bukola Saraki on his Facebook wall...

Oyinlola, Odimegwu and Others make Buhari’s Second batch of ministerial nominees

 A former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and ex Senator, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and a former Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries and ex-chairman of the National Population Commission, Chief Festus Odimegwu made the second batch of names forwarded to the Senate by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday for confirmation as Ministers.

 Though Senate President Bukola Saraki is expected to formally make the names of the nominees public at Tuesday’s plenary, the identities of some of the prospects were leaked to the press on Monday night.

Ministerial list: Tinubu, others under security watch

 Security agencies have launched a surveillance ring around a lead­er of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and others, including some members of the National Assembly, over an alleged plot against President Mu­hammadu Buhari.

 The plot, which presidency sources said is not unconnected to the decision of President Buhari to dump several nominees submitted by some party leaders and political godfa­thers for ministerial appointments, has led to a move to mend fences between the two ma­jor contending forces in the Senate.

 Intelligence reports had revealed that some state governors, party leaders and political godfathers, whose nominees were dumped by the President for his preferred candidates, have begun to “unleash their goons in a well coordinated media campaigns and groups’ protests against Mr President’s choice of ministerial nominees”

My Trial Not Discussed In Meeting With Buhari – Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday evening said the focus of the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly was how to better the lot of Nigerians.

He said the meeting, which was at the instance of the President, was to devise means of delivering the promises made to Nigerians during electioneering.

Saraki spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting held behind closed doors at the First Lady’s Conference Hall inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “The meeting was an initiative of the President for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly.

“It was a very useful session, being the first one. This kind of interaction helps in ensuring smooth relationship between the two arms of government.

Photos: Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara, others at Presidential Villa

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday evening met with the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives for a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, led the lawmakers to the meeting.

Drama in Senate over petition against Amaechi

 Mild drama ensued on the floor of the Senate yesterday when a petition against the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, was to be tabled on behalf of a group from the state by Senator George Sekibo (PDP Rivers East).

 Sekibo had, in line with Senate tradition, raised order 41 of the Senate standing rules to make presentation of a petition from some of his constituents.

 But the moment he mentioned that the petition written by a group called ‘The Integrity Group from Rivers State’ was against Rotimi Ameachi, one of the ministerial nominees to be screened by the Senate next Tuesday, the APC senators spontaneously shouted him down, saying, ‘No!’, ‘No!’, ‘Dead on arrival!’ etc, with their PDP counterparts, firing back by shouting, ‘Allow him!,’ ‘allow him!’

Saraki is our choice, no political trial will change our opinion- Senators declare

Members of the Senate have said no political, vindictive and mischievous trial will make them change their opinion about Senator Saraki being their president. The senators said this in a statement they released yesterday which was signed by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba

"We also want to state here, on behalf of our colleagues, that the Senate remains solidly behind Senator Saraki and we express our unalloyed support for his leadership. We reiterate the fact that he is our choice for the post of Senate President and no politically motivated, mischievous and vindictive trial will change our opinion of him."the statement read

Tinubu bars pro-Saraki senator from APC caucus meetings

 The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has barred the lawmaker representing Ondo-Central senatorial district, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, from attending South-West caucus meetings, Punch correspondent has learnt.

 It was learnt that the senator was ostracized for allegedly working against the interest of the party’s South-West leadership and for taking sides with Senate President Bukola Saraki.

 Alasoadura was also among the senators that followed Saraki to the Code of Conduct Tribunal in solidarity on Tuesday.

 A reliable source within the party told Punch that Alasoadura had been sidelined from all APC South-West meetings for his disloyalty to Tinubu.

Code of Conduct Tribunal orders Saraki's arrest

Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar has issued a Bench warrant for the arrest of Senate President Bukola Saraki. The IGP and other security agencies have been ordered to produce him by Monday!   

Alleged False Declaration Of Assets: Court Halts Saraki’s Trial

ABUJA – The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has halted moves by the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, to dock the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki tomorrow over a 13- count charge bothering on corruption and alleged false declaration of assets.

In a chamber ruling this evening, Justice Ahmed Mohammed summoned the Federal Minist‎ry of Justice, Chairman of the CCB and Chairman of the Code of Conduct tribunal, CCT, to appear before the high court on September 21 to show cause why Saraki should be prosecuted over the alleged offence.