Asset declaration : Saraki fights back, says alleged inconsistencies malicious – Saraki
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Nigeria Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, has said that the allegation of inconsistencies in assets declaration made against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) is “malicious.”
Saraki stated this on Wednesday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu.
It reads, “Though the President of the Senate had yet to be served any court process in that respect, we feel obliged to explain to Nigerians that all the claims contained in the charge sheet are false, incorrect and untrue.
“The claims are based on outright fabrication and mischief and a politically motivated prosecution aimed at undermining the person and office of the Senate President.
“We do not know on whose authority these charges are filed when the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act clearly indicate that any prosecution must be authorised by an Attorney-General (AG).
“We know the nation last had an AG in May 2015 and we believe that this is another clear indication that the CCT is acting under influence from outside its domain and therefore ready to bend the rules to achieve this obnoxious objective.
“It is surprising that the CCT is now referring to his (Saraki) assets declaration made in 2003 while in office as Governor of Kwara State to formulate their charges.
“They therefore ignored the recent declaration for which they last week, issued an acknowledgement.”
“We are of the opinion that the present effort is a desperate move initiated due to external influence and interference.
“It should also be noted that Dr Saraki, as Governor of Kwara State, never operated a foreign account.
“Also, some of the issues contained in the charge sheet are subjects of issues earlier decided on, or on-going in courts”.
It sated further that the Code of Conduct Bureau, following its processes, ought to have carried out the verification of the assets and ascertain the claims made, noting that for the bureau to come up with allegations of inconsistencies 12 years later, was a clear case of witch-hunt.
Saraki said he had always kept to global standards of transparency and accountability as required and affirmed his belief in the justice system.
The statement said Saraki was ready to meet those behind the plot in court.