'MY TRAIL IS THE HANDIWORK OF THOSE THAT DON'T WANT ME AS SENATE PRESIDENT'- Saraki

Embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday evening insisted that his trial at the
Code of Conduct Tribunal over alleged corruption charges was orchestrated by those not
happy with his emergence as Senate President.
At the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, in Abuja on Tuesday,
he pleaded not guilty to a 13-count charge of corruption
and false declaration of asset after failing to secure
injunctions at a High Court and the Court of Appeal to stop
the trial. The CCT however granted him bail on self-
recognition after taking his plea.
But in a statement released by his media aide, Yusuph
Olaniyonu, yesterday evening, Saraki claimed that he was
singled out for prosecution because of his position as the
Senate President – an apparent reference to the
controversy over his election as leader of the Senate.
It would be recalled that he had defied the ruling All
Progressives Congress, APC leadership which had anointed
Senator Ahmed Lawan for the position. He got the support
of senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, to
win the seat with Ike Ekweremadu of the PDP emerging his
deputy.
In the statement, Saraki stressed that he previously refused
to appear before the tribunal because he was exploring the
“opportunity to defend (his) fundamental human rights in
other courts.”
“As I stated while taking the plea in the case, I reiterate my
belief that the only reason while I am going through this
trial is because I am Senate President. If I were to be just a
Senator, I doubt if anybody will be interested in the asset
declaration form I filled over twelve years ago,” he said.
The statement repeated a claim he made at the tribunal
earlier on Tuesday that the trial did not follow due process.
“This belief stems from the fact that Section 3 (d) of the
Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act provides that if
there is a breach or non-compliance with any section of the
law, the person involved should be given the opportunity to
either admit or deny and that in the case of a written
admission, no reference to the tribunal shall be necessary,”
he said.
Saraki continued that, “if the CCB had followed the
guidelines, procedure or the due process provided in its
own law, we won’t be having this trial.
“It is my humble opinion that this case is a vivid example
that there is still flagrant disregard for due process in our
polity. This trial is not only being observed by Nigerians
alone, the international community is watching because
Nigeria is a key member of this community. So, the
executive, legislature and judiciary should do the right thing
that will truly demonstrate that we have imbibed the spirit
of positive change,” he said.
In the statement, he thanked his colleagues and supporters
who trooped out to the court in number in solidarity with
him and promised to clear his name.
“It is however necessary for me to thank my colleagues in
the Senate for the solid support and solidarity they
demonstrated for me. I also thank my counsel for the
brilliance they have shown in presenting our case and the
supporters who were present in the tribunal in their
hundreds. I want to assure you that I am innocent of all
the charges and will clear my name in due course,” the
Senate President said.