CCT: N’Central leaders back Saraki, seek end of trial

Some top opinion leaders in the north-central part of the country, on Wednesday, called for the dismissal of the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

While addressing a press conference in Ilorin, Kwara State, they said that they rejected, in its entirety, the CCT’s judgment of ‎ March 24, 2016.

The spokesman of the group, Senator Ahmed Mohammed, on behalf of the people of the area called on President Muhammadu Buhari not to be indifferent to the injustice and abuse of legal system in the country as “being perpetrated” by Justice Umar Danladi at the CCT.

He said that the recent pronouncement by eminent jurists on the illegality of the CCT and that it lacked the powers to prosecute Saraki was enough to prompt a presidential action to check “impunity” on the part of Danladi.

Mohammed added that, “on our part, we make bold to say that we would reject whatever is the outcome of this illegal and kangaroo trial under Umar Danladi, who, himself, was alleged to  have criminal charges hanging on his neck, while the tribunal has also been declared incompetent by some top lawyers.

“Therefore, we call for the immediate dismissal of the ongoing trial at CCT. But just in case this injustice and political persecution continued, then Chief Ahmed Bola Tinubu must be re -arraigned immediately.

“We have refrained from speaking about the trial of the President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal ‎CCT, because of our belief that it was an issue that would stand the test of truth, equity and justice.

“But it has become significant to raise our voice at this juncture not only for posterity, but because of the pronouncement of Justice Danladi Umar, which established clearly that double standard is reigning supreme.”

Justifying their call for a presidential intervention, Mohammed noted that Saraki did not only deliver Kwara State 100% to APC, in the last general elections, he was a pillar in the zone.

“Dr Saraki deserve to be the most commended politician in APC”, he submitted.

Mohammed added that “in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria, APC used to have only one governor in Nasarawa State before Kwara was added. Today APC rules in all the states of North Central for the party, courtesy of the outstanding role he played with others.”

“Unfortunately at this moment he is being condemned, persecuted and vilified by the party he helped to build and win elections.

“If we review his leadership at the Senate and chairmanship of the National Assembly in the last nine months, is there anyone, who has not seen the high capacity demonstrated by Dr. Bukola Saraki in the conduct of business at the upper house and co-ordination of the National Assembly?

“For the first time, since 1999, the budget was passed the same day in both chambers with similar figures without any need for a joint committee to harmonise their differences.

“With the Senate search light on Treasury Single Account (TSA) Nigeria is saving over N600million every day. The war against Boko Haram is being won because the National Assembly has approved the funds. He brought succour to Nigerians from the cancellation of fixed PHCN charges from DISCO tariff. He also saved the nation from labour strike in that regard‎ among many other laudable and progressive steps and decision taken in the best interest of our dear country.

“As leaders in the zone that produced Senate President, we are compelled to cry out on the injustice being done to our ‎illustrious son, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the President of the Senate”.