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.

Suraj Tunji Oyewale     Niguel Gallando Marcias     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Abdulkadri Ahmad Alaiye     Chief Imam Of Offa     Voices Of Tomorrow     Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir     David Adesina     Saliu Shola Taofeek     Funmilayo Mohammed     Olushola Saraki     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Rafiu Olasile     Abdulfatai Baakini     Kola Adesina     KWIRS     Adebayo Salami     Just Event Online     Oloruntoyosi Thomas     Plat Technologies     Abdulmumini AbdulRazaq     Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye     Budo-Egba     Saba Mamman Daniel     UNIFEMGA     Mubarak Oladosu     Oke-Kura     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Fatimoh Lawal     Olayinka Are     Agboola Babatunde     Sheikh Ariyibi     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     Afeyin-Olukuta     Olokoba Sulyman     Harrison Osauwagboe     Akande Idowu Ayoola Muhammed     Ahmed Alhasssan     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Paul Odama     KW-GIS     Bello Bature     Muhammad Fawaz Abubakar     Moses Salami     Ndakene     Magaji Are     NTA Ilorin     Jamiu Oyawoye     A.G.F Abdulrasaq     Abdulrasheed Akogun     Tayo Awodiji     Adaramaja     Kayode Alabi     Abdulganiyu AbdulAzeez     Kwara Volleyball Association     Solomon Edojah     Aisha Abodunrin Ibrahim     Muhammed Akanbi     Aliyu Adebayo     Rex Olawoye     Doyin Agbamu     Amos Bajeh     Abdul Jimoh Mohammed     Garment Factory     Yakubu Gobir     Kwara Poly     Gbajabiamila     Lotus Bank     Folajimi Aleshinloye     Susan Modupe Oluwole     Suleiman Abubakar     Ghali Alaaya     AbdulRasaq Abdulmajeed Alaro     Ijakadi     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Nigerian Army     Park    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Aisha Gobir     Durosinlohun Kawu     Sulyman Buhari     Obuh     Baba Issa     Centre For Community Empowerment And Poverty Eradication     Hussein Olokooba     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     Samuel Adaramola     Yahaya Oloriegbe     Zulu Gambari     CCT     Abdulmumin Yinka Ajia     Memunat Monsuma     Royal FM     Muhammed Danjuma     Musibau Akanji     Olatunde Oyeyiola     Funmilayo Mohammed     Abikan     Dapo Teni Nig Enterprise     Code Of Conduct Bureau     Iyiola Oyedepo     Tosin Saraki     Bello John Olanrewaju     Ahmad Uthman     Ibrahim Kayode Adeyemi     John Olajide Adedipe     Balogin Alanamu     Funmilayo Isiaka Oniwa     Isiaka Abdulrazak     Ahmad Lawan     Bello Abubakar     Muhammed Abdullahi     Igosun     Ajibike Katibi     Mashood Dauda     Edret Sabi Abel     Olajumoke Monsura Gafar     Sambo Murtala     Ahmad Fatima Bisola     Timothy Akangbe     Ramadan     Prince Bola Ajibola     Kwara State Fish Farmers Association     Adeleke Ogungbe     Kale Belgore     Emir Of Shonga     2023 Elections     Ilorin Likeminds Foundation     Emmanuel Olatunji Adesoye     Sanitation Exercise     Usman Alkali Baba     Sa\'adu Gambari     Kehinde Boyede     Abdulquawiy Olododo     Anilelerin     Seni Saraki     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Taofeeq Olateju     Kwara University Of Education     Ajase-Ipo     Abdulrazak Shehu Akorede     Abatemi-Usman     Esinniobiwa Quareeb     Sola Saraki University     Ilorin Metro Park     ANCOPPS     Omotoso     Asa     Lanre Issa Onilu     Owode Market     Olatunde Jare     Muhammed Akanbi     Toyin Falola     Saudat Abdulbaqi