Saraki's acquittal: SERAP urges Osinbajo to set up anti-corruption commission...Seeks UN support in anti-graft war

Date: 2017-06-16

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has described the dismissal of Sen. Bukola Saraki's trial by the Code of Conduct Tribuna yesterday as an indication of serious shortcomings in the nation's criminal justice system.

Saraki had been cleared of an 18-count charge filed against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau which includes false declaration of assets while he was governor Kwara state.

In its reaction to the dismissal of the case in a statement released by its Deputy Director, Timothy Adewale, the civil rights group appealed to the Presidency to seek the support of the international community in prosecuting high-profile corrupt cases.

"The acquittal yesterday of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) of corruption charges suggests serious shortcomings in the criminal justice system, and means that a complementary and supportive mechanism in the form of a UN-backed commission against corruption and impunity in Nigeria is urgently needed to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari's oft-stated anti-corruption agenda," it said.

The organization urged the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to urgently pursue the establishment of a UN-backed International Commission Against Corruption and Impunity to assist our criminal justice system to effectively and efficiently investigate and prosecute high-level corruption cases in the country, like it happened in Guatemala.

According to SERAP, "A UN-backed commission would help to improve our criminal justice system in the short, medium and long terms so that it would be better able to prosecute complex grand corruption cases. It would also meet the longstanding and legitimate demands of the Nigerian people for vigorous and meaningful action against corrupt leaders, past or present.

"Supporting a strong partnership between Nigerian prosecutors and international law enforcement experts would show that the authorities have the ability and political will to chip away at the country's corruption and impunity of perpetrators, and help address Nigerians' scepticism about the viability of the anti-corruption agenda.

"Further, to end a culture of corruption and impunity of perpetrators, we urge the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, to urgently take over the prosecution of the corruption case against Mr Saraki by ensuring that the CCT decision is urgently appealed and that the case is diligently prosecuted within the limits of the rule of law.

"The outcome of the Saraki's case sends a damaging message that suspected corrupt leaders can get away with their crimes, while keeping their stolen assets. Many would-be corrupt leaders may now see engaging in acts of corruption a risk worth taking," the statement read in parts.

Source

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Jimoh Saadudeen Muhammed     Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman     Okanlawon Taiwo     Muhammadu Buhari     Ileloke     Sulyman Age AbdulKareem     Read With Me     Sidikat Alaya     Haleeman Salman     Abdulahi Abubakar Bata     Nupe     Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs     Jide Oyinloye     AGF Abdulrazaq     Tunji Folami     Seed Technologies     Waziri Yakubu Gobir     Ibrahim Agboola Gambari     Rabiu Kwankwaso     JMK Construction Company Limited     Roseline Oni Aremu     Kwha.gov.ng     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Musa Aibinu     Durbar     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     Aliyu Kora Sabi     Aliyu Salihu     Ola Falade     Split Diamond Interchange     Ilorin Innovation Hub     Musa Alhassan Buge     Idofin     Olatunji Bamgbola     Nurudeen Mohammed     KWAFFA     Y.A. Abdulkareem     Aisha Ahman-Pategi     BIR     Galadima     Sanusi Abubakar     Tunde Kazeem     Fatai Olodo     Ilorin Emirate     Segun Ogunsola     IEDPU     Femi Oladiji     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     Segun Abifarin     Dankaka     Surajudeen Akanbi     Shuaib Olarongbe     Arinola Lawal     T And K FOODS     AbdulRauf Keji     National Information Technology Development Agency     Okasanmi Ajayi     Kaiama     Abdulfatai Ahmed     Abdulwahab Ololele     Kawu     Olokoba Abdullahi Ayinla     Pacify Labs     Overland     Ndakene     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     Universal Basic Education Commission     High Court     Sidikat Uthman Ajibola     Hassanat Bello     Fola Consultant     Akom Construction And Engineering Synergy Ltd     David Oyerinola Adedunmoye     Oye Tinuoye     Toyin Saraki     Kisira     Kale Belgore    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

State Bureau Of Internal Revenue     Magaji Erubu     Yusuf Amuda Abubakar     07039448763     Budo-Egba     Kwara Polytechnic     Eleyele     Abubakar Ndakene     Photo News     NFAI     Idofin     Quranic Recitation Competition     Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency     Kisra     AGM Professional Services     Bilikis Oladimeji     Hamidu Olowo     Ohoro Of Shao     Kassim Babamale     Yakubu Shaaba     Yeketi     Isaac Gbenle     Ayodele Shittu     Muhammad Yahya     PPS     Mufti Of Ilorin     Mufutau Olatinwo     Oasis Muslim Care Foundation     National Pilot     Ibrahim Bio     Kwara Teaching Service Commission     Village Alive Development Association     Saad Omo\'ya     Joana Nnazua Kolo     Muazam Nayaya     Ayinde Oyepitan     Kwara Central     Tunde Mukaila Mustapha     NIRSAL     LEAH Charity Foundation     Baaziki Sulaiman     Bond     Yakubu Gobir     Oloye     Awodun     Ilorin Innovation Hub     Galadiman Ngeri     Ilorin Water Reticulation     Kwha.gov.ng     Omupo     Bamidele Adegoke Oladimeji     Mashood Dauda     Kwara Restoration Project     Convocation Ceremonies     Oja-Oba     Olokoba     Mohammed Danjuma     College Of Health     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Kwara State University Of Education     Olusola Saraki     Sadiq Buhari     Ben Duntoye     SUBEB     Facemasks     Igbomina     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Arca Santa     Sola Saraki Educational Foundation     Babatunde Ajeigbe     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     Yaru     John Olajide Adedipe     Olayinka Oladapo Jogunola     Sa\'adu Gambari     Alikinla     Principal Private Secretary