Saraki’s CCT Acquittal: Wild jubilation erupts in Ilorin
*SERAP raises the alarm, wants UN-backed Commission against impunity
Wild jubilation erupted in Ilorin, Kwara state, on Thursday following the discharge and acquittal of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT on allegations of false assets declaration levelled against him by the federal government.
The ‘I Stand By Saraki’ group led by a former woman leader of the All progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaja Sarah Adebayo coordinator the rally.
Amidst drumming, singing and dancing, Saraki’s supporters, including members and executives of the APC, members of state executive council, women and youth groups marched from the party’s secretariat at GRA to the palace of the Emir of Ilorin in the heart of the town.
The joyous Saraki’s supporters wore multicoloured customised T-shirts to celebrate Saraki’s victory at the tribunal.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has raised the alarm over the acquittal of the Senate President Dr. Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) of corruption charges.
According to SERAP, the development suggests serious shortcomings in the criminal justice system, saying that a complementary and supportive mechanism from a UN-backed commission against corruption and impunity in Nigeria is urgently needed to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption agenda.
The group also urged the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, to urgently and proactively pursue the establishment of a UN-backed International Commission Against Corruption and Impunity to assist our criminal justice system to effectively investigate and prosecute high-level corruption cases in the country, like it happened in Guatemala, for example.
It added that the acquittal is capable of sending a message that corruption pays and corrupt leaders can get away with their loots due to technicality and glaring lapses in the country’s criminal system.
SERAP stated this in a statement by its deputy director, Mr Timothy Adewale and made available to Daily Times on Thursday.
However, while addressing the mammoth crowd in Ilorin, the state chairman of the APC, Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani, expressed happiness on the development, saying allegations against were politically motivated.
“The entire APC members and all peace loving people of Kwara State are very happy. We knew that this is a politically motivated charges, but God has vindicated us, and it is a plus to democracy. This also allows us to have confidence in the judiciary of Nigeria.
“We are very happy. We thank everybody and well meaning Nigerians who had supported us from first time this thing (trial) started up to the end of this case. We are very happy and that is why you see us rejoicing.
While calling for continuous prayer in the task ahead, the ABS mandate office assured Kwarans that Saraki shall remain focused in the development of every nook and cranny of the state.
ABS reiterated that the evidence of performance which the upper House has demonstrated under the Saraki leadership as shown in the number of bills passed and petitions discharged which is unprecedented in the annals of the Nigerian Senate will be further invigorated to ensure that positive governance continues to devolve to the citizenry to improve their socio-economic and political standings.
