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.

Bola Sagaya     Elerin Of Adanla     Abdulraufu Mustapha     Mahee Abdulkadir     Sulyman Atolagbe Alege     Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo     Baruten     Oba-Solagberu     International Vocational Centre     Bayo Onimago     Sulaiman Gado     Olaiya Lawal     KSIRS     Chief Imam Of Omu-Aran     Rapheal Ashaolu     Mustapha Olanipekun     Jumoke Monsura Gafar     Amoyo     Mohammed Ghali Alaaya     Dan-Kazeem     Shaykh Luqman Jimoh     Ahmad Uthman     Moshood Kashimawo Abiola     Busari Alabi Alausa     Coalition Of Kwara North Groups     National Party Of Nigeria     Kwara Primary Health Care Development Agency     Muslim Cementary     PAACO-PCL Consortium     Ilesha Gwanara Road     Tunde Akanbi     Asa LGEA School     Offa Descendants Union     Baboko     Jide Ashonibare     Council Of The Wise     David Adesina     Oke-opin     Saheed Popoola     Segun Adeniyi     Ishak Mohammed Sabi     Olushola Saraki     AbdulGafar Tosho     Omotoso     Valsolar-Kwara Company Limited     Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa     EFCC     Mumeen Lah     Tunji Olawuyi     Oke-Ero     Imodoye Writer’s Enclave     Frootify     Kwara University Of Education     Park     Oloye     Bayo Lawal     Danladi     Oko-Olowo     Kwara State Infrastructure Development Fund     Tope Daramola     Madawaki Of Ilorin     Quareeb     Ilesha-Baruba     Olusola Saraki     Bello Oyedepo     Local Government     Iyiola Oyedepo     Usman Yunusa     Yakub Lai Gobir     Ambassador Kayode Laro     Abdullah Janet Amudat     Issa Manzuma     Gbemisola Oguntimehin     Adedipe     Awili Pedro     Ibikunle Ogunleye     Communication Network Support Services    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

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

Diagnostic Centre     SAPZ Project     Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari     Abubakar Kawu Baraje     SUBEB     Alabere     Omar Bolaji Gambari     African Democratic Congress     Prince Mahe Abdulkadir     EndSARS     Gaa Olobi     Olaitan Buraimoh     Muhammed Taofeeq Abdulrazaq     Omoniyi Ayinla     Yusuf Olaolu Ali     IEDPU     New Model Police Station     Haliru Dantoro     Alanamu     Gbajabiamila     ASMAU PLAZA     AbdulKareem Yusuf Danhawa     Maryam Ado Bayero     Adedayo Yusuf Abdulkareem     Adebara     Abubakar Baba     Abdulganiy Abimbola Abdussalam     Muyideen Ajani Bello     Kudirat Arinola Lawal     Hamid Bobboyi     Salami Adekunle     KW-GIS     Ayodele Kuburat Olaosebikan     Irepodun     Kunle Akogun     Woro     Donatus Ejidike     Ndakene     Toyin Sanusi     Mustapha AbdulGaniyu     Sobi     Shonga Farm Project     Oba Abdulraheem     Mohammed Saidu     Aliyu Salihu     Ubandawaki     Afolabi-Oshatimehin     Akeem Lawal     Tinubu Legacy Forum     Alapansapa     Ganmo Electricity Sub-Station     Tafida Of Ilorin     Raliat Islamic Foundation     Sa\'adu Gambari     Asiwaju Bola Tinubu     TIIDELab     Naira Redesign     Folaranmi Aro     Eghe Igbinehi     Kola Bukoye     Saeedat Aliyu     Lai Mohammed     Mohammed Ajia Ibrahim     Yusuf Abdulraheem     Babajide Ajayi     Abdulkadir Akanbi-Oke     Kwara State Pension Board     National Union Of Road Transport Workers     Oyedepo     Kwara State Government     Valsolar Consultoria     Habeeb Saidu     Gani Saadu     CKNG     Okeose Christian Cementary     Principal Private Secretary     TIC