The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has berated the Federal Government over its anti-corruption war, saying that it has been vindictive and targeted at political enemies.
Saraki made this remark as he expressed joy over the declaration by the Supreme Court on Friday that he had no case to answer at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged false assets declaration.
In a statement he personally signed and issued on Friday, Saraki described his trial as politically motivated declaring that the main reason for his alleged persecution was his emergence as the Senate President as against the wish of some forces.
His words: “As I said in my first appearance at the CCT, this is a politically motivated case. The case was trumped up in the first instance because of my emergence as the President of the Senate, against the wishes of certain forces. Ordinarily, I doubt anyone would be interested in the asset declaration form I filled over 15 years ago…
“As many have rightly observed, it is plain to see that the anti-corruption fight is being prosecuted with vindictiveness, to target perceived political opponents. I believe in the need to fight corruption, but I will never be party to the selective application of the law or the rhetoric of an insincere anti-corruption fight.
“I believe in fighting corruption and I have made my own humble contributions to the fight against corruption in this country.”
Saraki said rather than work together in the interest of the nation and seek to do better for the people, “we are fighting one another and using legal instruments to mount baseless accusations against one another.”
He said further: “Instead of exhibiting the need for unity and working day and night for that purpose, we are stoking the fire of division and rancour. I maintain that, above all else, my CCT trial has been a flagrant vilification of my person, and shows that some people are after their personal interests rather than the national interest.”
He said it was unfortunate that as a result of war of attrition, various arms of government had wasted resources needlessly.
“It has been three wasted years across board in this country. Three years that would have been devoted to tackling issues affecting Nigerians, including: economic recovery, insecurity, youth unemployment and strengthening national institutions – were wasted on malicious prosecution.
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“People were ready to trade-off three years that would have been devoted to fostering cooperation, unity and economic progress for their selfish ends. It is my hope that those who are behind my persecution will see the handwriting on the wall and leave me to do the work for which I was elected, so I can continue to give my all to this great country of ours.”
While expressing his confidence in the judiciary, he thanked everyone who stood by him throughout the trial.
