Nigerian Lawyer asks country's senate president, Saraki, to resign

 “Having undertaken to prove his innocence at the Code of Conduct Tribunal Senator Saraki should resign as senate president so as to preserve the integrity of the National Assembly." 

- Falana

Nigerian human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, on Saturday asked the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to resign his position in order to preserve the integrity of the National Assembly.
The Supreme Court had on Friday dismissed the appeal by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, challenging the validity of his trial on charges of assets declaration preferred against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT.

Fiery Human rights activist/lawyer Femi Falana




credit punch



The apex court presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, unanimously ruled that Saraki’s appeal against the jurisdiction of the trial and competence of the charges lacked merit.

In an interview with punch, Falana said the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court would add value to the battle against corruption, citing an instance involving a former Senate Presidents, the late Chuba Okadigbo and his successor Adolphus Wabara.

Falana asked Saraki to resign having undertaken to prove his innocence before the Code of Conduct Tribunal
“When Senators Chuba Okadigbo and Adolphus Wabara were indicted they were made to step down as senate presidents.”

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was challenging the validity of his trial on charges of assets declaration preferred against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The country's apex court presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, unanimously ruled that Saraki’s appeal against the jurisdiction of the trial and competence of the charges lacked merit.

Sen Saraki in the box
 


credit dailypost

This comes amid indications that senators opposed to the Senate President under the aegis of the Senate Unity Forum, had regrouped to force Saraki out of his leadership seat. Saraki a member of the majority APC, was a controversial state governor and member of the main opposition party PDP, before defecting. He was elected to the top senate seat in the face of opposition from the establishment of his current party.

Saraki though disappointed with the Supreme Court judgment, believes “at the end of the day, truth will prevail and justice will be served.”