Saraki: Court Of Appeal Verdict Vindicates Me

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said the verdict of the Court of Appeal, which dropped 15 out of 18 of the grounds of his appeal, was a vindication for him.
In a statement issued by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Saraki insisted that upholding a no case submission for 15 out of 18 cases was a vindication.
The Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja, chaired by Danladi Umar, had discharged and acquitted Saraki on July 14, 2017, over allegations of false assets declaration.
Umar based the decision to strike out the suit on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove its case.
The Court of Appeal in its verdict on the acquittal of Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal held that the President of the Senate had no case to answer on 15 of the appeals.
The statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu on behalf of Saraki said: “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.”

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