Though sent for retrial on 3 charges, Saraki claims vindication on trial for corruption

Though he was sent back to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for retrial on three counts by a Court of Appeal, Senate President Bukola Saraki says the cojrt judgment has vindicated him.
Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson in his lead judgment in Abuja said that 15 out of the 18 counts that Saraki was charged to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for in two years ago were without foundation to pass off as valid charges.
He however held that on counts 4,5 and 6 which concerned the purchase of Houses 17 A and B at McDonald Street, Ikoyi Lagos and another in Abuja by the Senate President, the prosecution and appellant, the federal government, succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the country’s number three man.
The government had appealed the Code of Conduct Tribunal judgment which set Saraki free six months ago on 18 counts brought against him.
However the appeal court insisted Tuesday that Saraki must provide explanations for the discrepancies for the property he claimed he bought from sales of rice and sugar.
The court berated the federal government, for relying on hearsays for most other charges.
Said Saraki’s office Tuesday night: “We noted the verdict of the Court of Appeal Court today in which it agreed with the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal that Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has no case to answer on 15 of the 18 charges filed against him by the Federal Government.
“We believe that upholding the no case submission by Dr. Saraki with regards to 15 of the 18 counts charges vindicates the innocence of the Senate President. At least, today’s judgement has confirmed the position of the Tribunal that the prosecution’s case was entirely based on hearsay, not on any concrete evidence.”
“The verdict of the Court of Appeal, just like that of the Tribunal before it, aligned with our position that the preposterous claims made during trial by the prosecution concerning operation of foreign accounts, making anticipatory declarations, collecting double salaries, owning assets beyond his income and failure to declare assets owned by companies in which the Senate President owns interests, among others, have fallen like a pack of cards and lack any basis.
“On the remaining three counts, which really touch on two issues, referred back to the Tribunal for the Senate President’s defence, it should be noted that the Appellate Court only gave a summary of its decision today promising to provide the parties with Certified True Copies of the Judgment soon. As soon as it makes the details of the judgement available, our lawyers will review the grounds of the decision and take appropriate action.
“We remain convinced about the innocence of the Senate President on the three ( or two) counts because we believe the decision of the Court of Appeal is not consistent with the submissions made by both parties at the Tribunal. Thus, it is our view that that aspect of the judgment will not stand.
“The confidence and faith of Dr. Saraki in the nation’s judiciary and its ability to dispense justice to all manners of people remains unshaken.”