Saraki’s acquittal, evidence of corruption in the Judiciary- CACOL

*Judgment in order as the prosecutor failed to prove that Saraki falsified his assets

The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership ‎(CACOL) has reacted to the judgment of the code of conduct tribunal absolving Senate President Bukola Saraki of any wrong doing.

The Executive Chairman, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, said the acquittal stands as a strong indication of corruption still pervading the corridors of Nigeria’s judicial system.

But reacting to Saraki’s acquittal, the Dean Faculty of Law, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Frank Asogwa,‎ said‎ the judgment by Justice Danladi Umar was in order since the prosecutor failed to prove that the Senate President falsified his assets.

“Every court of competent jurisdiction looked out for verifiable facts and evidence against any suspect brought before the court.
“The court does not rely on hear-say or what is written on newspapers or social media to convict a suspect but facts and evidence before the court.

“The decision of the court to acquit and discharge Senate president was in order as the prosecutor failed to prove his case against the suspect,” the don said.

In his reaction, former chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Nsukka chapter, Mr. Gerald Eze,‎ said the judgment of CCT was a victory for democracy and rule of law.

“The judgment of the tribunal is victory for democracy and rule of law but if the prosecutor is not satisfied he can appeal the judgment at Appeal Court.

“The court as legal entity and temple of justice always based it’s judgement on facts and evidence before it and not on mere allegations.

“I hail the CCT verdict. This is an indication that judiciary remains the last hope of the common man,” he said. ‎

But CACOL’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Adeniran attributed Saraki’s acquittal to “political expediency” saying, “Ostensibly, out of political expediency, Senate President, Dr. Saraki has just been discharged and acquitted by the Code Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over the false assets declaration charges leveled against him in a ruling that CACOL finds very disturbing as it smacks of compromise on the side of the Federal government.

“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 federal government.

“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.

He further stressed that, the judiciary that is supposed to be the last hope of masses is the most disappointing given the speed with which it has been discharging and acquitting suspected corruption criminals particularly its members and others.

“At this rate, it appears no publicly exposed persons will ever get convicted regardless of the incriminating charges against them as long they hire high profile lawyers, who will in turn help in navigating through the turf of judicial trails using the lacunae in the justice system to evade justice,” Mr. Adeniran lamented.