As reactions continue to trail the news of the Code of Conduct Tribunal acquitting the Senate President, Bukola Saraki of all charges brought against him over false asset declaration, Nigerians have been speaking with both sides of the mouth over court ruling.
The tribunal said the failure of the prosecution to present witnesses who were fully part of the alleged offence against the senate president, made their evidence “incurably defective”.
The tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, ruled that the prosecution failed to establish prima facie case against Mr. Saraki, thereby upholding a no-case submission made by the defendant’s counsel, Kanu Agabi.
– Senate’s Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn N’Allah, said the victory of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, was victory for democracy.
“The case was diversionary and unhelpful to the government of the day and now, he has been vindicated.
“Those who erroneously believed that they can mislead the government into doing a wrong thing should know that they have not been helpful to the government,’’ he said.
– CACOL
Convener of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), Debo Adeniran said: “We view the judgment as a political one achieved by the so-called anticorruption-focused APC-led Federal government for the purpose of settling its intra-party wrangling and discontent. The ruling is a big indictment on the government’s anti-corruption drive given that Saraki’s case had been of the most prominent and most vigorously pursued one out of the several corruption cases being prosecuted by the FG.
“We had suspected all along that Saraki’s corruption cases were probably going to be sacrificed on the altar of political necessity given the unnecessary maneuvers and intrigues that has characterized the trail right from the outset.
“It also validates the fact the present government is corruption-compliant holistically; a situation where the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary arms are disappointing deeply involved with the exception of President Mohummadu Buhari, whose commitment to anti-corruption has for long been beyond reasonable doubts.
“It is again a validation of the fact that it is easier for a ‘camel to pass through the eye of a needle’ than for system predicated on corruption to cleanse itself of the malady.”
CACOL’s Debo Adeniran in an exclusive chat had told The New Diplomat that “when you look at the Senate generally, it’s like a house of scandal, being led by the chief Scandamania in person of Bukola Saraki who has been oscillating between criminal witness boxes in different Court, despite the exalted position of a Senate President. The Senate cannot be asked to sanitize itself because the image of the leadership of the Senate has been thoroughly soiled in the mud of corruption and other malfeasance. Basically, the Senate is like the house of prodigal sons.”
– Sagay
The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption, PACAC, Itse Sagay, has expressed shock at the acquittal of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Sagay, septuagenarian professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said it was incredible Saraki got absolved and, therefore, advised the federal government to appeal the ruling.
“I was shocked myself by the ruling,” Sagay “The amount of evidence amassed against him (Saraki) was considerable; so, I am surprised it was said no prima facie had been made against him. It’s shocking that’s all I can say.”
Many Nigerians have also expressed their views on Twitter and other social media.
Read some of the reactions below: Orubebe cleared
Justice Ademola cleared
Dino Melaye cleared…
Bukola Saraki cleared
Pls never shld anyone say we are fighting CORRUPTION????
— Kemi Ariyo (@d_problemsolver) June 14, 2017
Why You surprise Saraki Case was thrown out by Tribunal? The Case Was Up Cause he had issues with APC! Now they are cool What do you expect?
pic.twitter.com/WSw6ghW5ff
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz)
June 14, 2017
Now that Saraki has been discharged (as expected) can we bury this charade of an anti-corruption war & focus on the economy?
— Igala_Alan_Shore (@i_am_Anomeli) June 14, 2017
There are 2 types of laws in Nigeria
One for d RICH and d other for the REST of us
Saraki is free but Taofik is in jail for stealing garri
— Banky (@AdeBanqie) June 14, 2017
While Tinubu is some peoples favorite criminal, Saraki is some peoples favorite criminal too
At d end, the fight against coreuption is scam
— Gomez 042 (@Gomeznsude)
June 14, 2017
Tinubu is a thief and looter
Saraki is a thief and looter
Both acquitted of wrongdoings by the CCT but you are only angry about Saraki? LOL
— . (@Tomyboiz) June 14, 2017
The same CCT that freed Bola Tinubu today freed Bukola Saraki. If I were an armed robber, I would insist on being tried there. pic.twitter.com/x4zjgJ4DHy
— Dr. Njakiri Damages (@DrDamages) June 14, 2017
The Saraki debacle is one of the reasons why King Solomon prayed for wisdom, knowledge & understanding…….Buhari wasted political capital
— Gege (@nigeriasbest) June 14, 2017
You people should let us agree that SaharaReporters is a national social media problem.
Saying Saraki bribed CTC with $2m is outrageous.
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) June 14, 2017
The only reason Bukola Saraki won’t be President is cos he isnt from the core North. But hands down, he is Nigeria’s most tactful politician
— Bashọ̀run Gáà (@Oddy4real) June 14, 2017
First anti-corruption case in Buhari’s admin. now concluded as ”no case to answer” by CCT trying Senate Pres #Saraki on asset declarartion.
