News
CCT: Saraki Knows Fate July 13 …Forgery Trial Stalled by Poor Service …Reps Kick Against Trial
The Code of Conduct Tribunal, yesterday, fixed July 13 to deliver its ruling on an application filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, asking its Chairman, Danladi Umar to disqualify himself from further presiding over his trial.
The tribunal fixed the date for ruling after hearing parties, with the prosecution led by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), describing the application as frivolous and urged the tribunal to dismiss it.
On the other hand, defence counsel, Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN), maintained that with the comment of the tribunal chairman during the June 7, 2016 proceedings which he said his team had adjudged to be biased against the defence, the tribunal chairman could no longer do justice.
Erokoro quoted Umar to have warned that the delay tactics deployed by the defence would not reduce the consequences of the trial.
The lawyer maintained that the comment was tantamount to a threat of conviction of the defendant when trial was yet to be concluded.
But Jacobs said the consequences referred to by Umar could either be acquittal or conviction going by the provisions of Section 309 and 310 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Saraki is being prosecuted by the Federal Government before the CCT on 16 counts, including false and anticipatory asset declaration, which he allegedly made between 2003 and 2011 when he served as the Governor of Kwara State.
He is also accused of operating foreign accounts as a public officer and of receiving governor’s salary or emoluments in addition to his salary as a senator for some periods after completing his two terms as governor and got elected as a senator .
However, the House of Representatives, yesterday, rose in defence of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, saying that the Federal Government should “desist” from its bid to prosecute them over forgery allegations.
It noted that dragging Saraki and Ekweremadu to court did not only amount to interfering with the “internal affairs” of the Senate, but was also part of a plot to cripple the institution of the National Assembly.
In a resolution in Abuja, the House specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene by cautioning top officials of his administration and stop them from “progressing in error.”
A member from Kogi State, Mr. Tajudeen Yusuf, who brought up the issue under matters of urgent public importance, recalled that the lack of respect for the National Assembly was exemplified in the non-implementation of the resolution passed since March, taking over the Kogi State House of Assembly.
The House argued that seeking to prosecute Saraki and Ekweremadu after an Abuja Federal High Court had ruled that the case in question was an internal affair of the legislature, suggested desperation to rubbish the National Assembly.
Calling on the executive to abide by the principle of separation of powers and independence of the legislature as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Resolution read further, “The House strongly urges Mr. President, who has sworn to an oath to defend and protect the constitution, to prevail on the members of the executive council to desist from further steps that will cripple the National Assembly.
“These include prosecuting the presiding officers of the Senate over alleged forgery of Senate Rules, which a competent court of law has also recognised as strictly the ‘internal affair of the National Assembly’, and which judgement has not been set aside by any superior court.”
Citing more instances of disregard for the National Assembly, the House observed that Ministers and heads of agencies ignored invitations to appear before committees for oversight.
“It is now commonplace that ministers and heads of parastatals ignore invitations by committees at will.
“The House committees have therefore been rendered toothless because no consequences attach to such wanton refusal of ministers to attend sessions,” the House added.
The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara.
But, he did not allow the motion to be debated on the grounds that it was “straightforward.”
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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