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.

Erin-ile     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Adanla-Irese     Kwara Central     Yashikira     Lola Olabayo     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Wahab Isa     Omupo     Olabimpe Olani     Egbewole     Gobirawa     David Adesina     Hydro-electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Noah Yusuf     Offa     VADA     Kpotum Mohammed Baba     Muritala Olarewaju     NULGE     Yunus Lawal     Omar Gambari     Ope Saraki     Isiaka Yusuf     AbdulRauf Keji     Dar-Al-Handasah Consultants Ltd     Students Union Government     Amada Jidda     Adewuyi Funmilayo     Segun Abifarin     Pius Abioje     Chikanda     Yahaya Muhammad     Third Estate     Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Shero     Olatinwo     Lanre Jimoh     Rashidi Yekini     Gbemisola Saraki     Kwara Pdp     Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Oluronke Adeyemi     Nnazua     Bayer Nigeria Limited     Muslim Media Watch Group Of Nigeria     Bayer AG     Oyedun Juliana Funke     Okin Group     Kayode Alabi     Lotus Bank     Idowu Laro     Quareeb     United Nigeria Congress Party     Abdulahi Abubakar Bata     Dauda Adesola     JAMB     Vasolar Consortium     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Maigidasanma     Amina El-Imam     Ola Falade     Isaac Gbenle     Ijagbo     Bola Magaji     Apata Ajele Secondary School     Monkey Pox     S.O. Opowoye     Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union     National Broadcasting Commission     Government High School (GHS), Adeta     Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development     Zainab Abass     Agor     International Vocational Centre     Nigerian Correctional Service    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode     Offa     Muritala Olarewaju     Ibrahim Sulu Gambari     Ibrahim Akaje     Lola Ashiru     Prince Bola Ajibola     Ibrahim Labaika     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     Y.A. Abdulkareem     Mahmud Ajeigbe     Danladi     KWASIEC     Joseph Yemi Ajayi     Kayode Ibrahim     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Adama Isa     Aliyu Salihu     Ajasse-Ipo     Awoye     Salihu S. Yaru     A.E. Afolabi     Mubarak Oladosu     Kwara State Council Of Chiefs     Yahaya A Paniyaro     Rotimi Oyedepo     Saad Belgore     Grillo     Olokoba     Ibrahim Mohammed     Ndakene     Maryam Ado Bayero     Simeon Sayomi     Bureau Of Lands     Ojuekun Sarumi     Adebayo Salami     Ibrahim Abdulqadir Abikan     Wale Oladepo     Sheriff Olanrewaju     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Shuaib Olarongbe     Elesie Of Esie     Tosho Yaqub     Sherif Sagaya     Mohammed Khadijat Kubura     Ilorin Descendants Progressive Union     GGDSS Pakata     Lanre Badmus     Kwara Pdp     Arandun     Arinola Lawal     Gbugbu International Market     Democracy Day     Kwara 2019     Tanke Road     Alapansapa     Chief Of Staff     Ladi Hassan     Ganmo     Adanla-Irese     Tescom.kwarastate.gov.ng     Abdulrahman Onikijipa     Esuwoye     New Nigeria People’s Party     HICA     Abdulquowiyu Olododo     Adamu B. Yaqubu     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Ethical College     Ghali Muhammed     Issa Manzuma     Kwara Hotel     Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem     John Olajide Adedipe     Abdulraheem Yusuf     SAPZ Project     Olatunji Ibrahim