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.

Quranic Recitation Competition     Air Peace     Olokoba     Kunbi Titiloye     Rebecca Olanrewaju     Ahmed     Abraysports FC     Ramadhan     Shagari     Senate President     Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak     Ishola Abdullahi     Mary Arinde     Lanre Aremu     Tafidan Kaiama     Kayode Ishola     Haliru Yahaya     Ayobola Ipinlaiye     Bayer AG     Abdulrazaq Magaji     Issa Manzuma     Nupe     Christian Association Of Nigeria     Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs     Gamji Members Association     NaAllah     SUBEB     Shade Omoniyi     Saadu Gbogbo Iwe     Sulyman Abdulkareem     Chief Imam Of Ilorin     COVID     Abubakar Usman Jos     Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited     UITH     Kwara State Fire Service     Barakat Community Secondary School     Ojo Fadumila     Bolaji Nagode     Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede     Galland Marcias     Makama     Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations     Summit University     Principal Private Secretary     Ayodele Olaosebikan     Kayode Oyin-Zubair     Moronfoye     Vasolar     Hamidat Sulyman-Yusuf     Kwara State Television     New Nigeria People’s Party     Woro     Shaaba Lafiagi     Yekini Adio     20 Billion Bond     Haliru Dantoro     Yusuf Amuda Abubakar     Apaokagi     Basic Education Certificate Examination     IFK     Ibrahim Oloriegbe     Abdulkarim Adisa     Habeeb Abdullahi Al-Ilory     Omupo     Saad Belgore     Tunde Idiagbon Road     Na\'Allah     Michael Nzekwe     Patigi Regatta     Aminat Ahmed     Bayo Ajia     Abdulkadir Akanbi-Oke     Salihu S. Yaru     Musa Aibinu     Femi Gbajabiamila     National Broadcasting Commission    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Saadu Gbogbo Iwe     Lanre Issa-Onilu     Musa Abdullahi     Leke Ogungbe     Lanre Jimoh     Jimoh Bashir     Ilorin Water Reticulation     Mansurat Amuda-Kannike     Sunday Popo-Ola     Olufolake Abdulrazaq     Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria     Shuaib Boni Aliyu     Salmon Babatunde Salmon     Apaola     Lithium Deposit     ENetSuD     Usman Rifun     Fatimat Saliu     Kwasu     Saadatu Modibbo-Kawu     Abubakar Aliagan     Amos Bajeh     Saliu Oluwole     ITP     Talaka Parapo     Ilorin Emirate     Government High School Adeta     Wale Oladepo     Harafat E. Mukadam     Ayekale     Col. Adedipe     Saliu Shola Taofeek     Ibrahim Jawondo     Saraki     Kolo     Baruten     Kabir Shagaya     Bola Magaji     NYSC     SSUCOEN     Falokun-Oja     Towobola Abdulrahman Toyin     Toyin Saraki     Danladi     A.G.F Abdulrasaq     Yusuf Arowosaye     Savannah Centre For Diplomacy, Democracy And Development     African Democratic Congress     Amos Sayo     Mary Kemi Adeosun     Sam Onile     Paul Odama     Eleja Taiwo Banu     Kazeem Adekanye     Abdullateef Abdussalam     Abubakar Lah     Abdul-Rahoof Bello     Mamatu Abdullahi     Hakeem Idris     Garba Idris Ajia     Park     Kayode Oyin Zubair     Yashikira     BIR     Moronfoye     SARS     Abubakar Baba Sulaiman     Alaro     Abdulsalam A. Yusuf     Ita-Ore     Doyin Group     Ajidagba     Tosho Yaqub     Muslimah Entrepreneurship Forum     John Olobayo     Lanre Olosunde     Sa\'adatu Modibbo-Kawu