My Assets Falsification Trial Is Persecution – Saraki

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, August 26, (THEWILL) – The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has described the ongoing false asset declaration trial he is facing at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, as being more of persecution than an actual fight against corruption.

The Senate President, who spoke on Friday in Lagos during the Social Media Week, insisted that he will not resign from his position as the Senate President despite calls for him to do so.

While responding to why he has remained as Senate President despite the corruption allegations against him, Saraki said, “It is not a fight against corruption; it is more about being persecuted.”

His words, “We are public servants and you must fill your asset declaration form when you get in office and I did mine 13 years ago.

“The charges have nothing to do with corruption or money being stolen anywhere and that is why at the end of the day, I will have my day in court because it is not about corruption.

“I don't understand how the same organisation that cleared my asset declaration to be proper in 2004, 2009 and 2011 can suddenly wake up and say that my record is faulted.”

Come March 10, the Senate President will return to the Danladi Umar-led CCT for the continuation of his trial on a 13-count charge of false assets declaration and corruption. This was after the Supreme Court gave the tribunal a nod to continue the case.

Saraki had last June gone against the wishes of the leadership of his party – the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC – to emerge the Senate President. He was able to achieve this through the support of PDP members in the Senate.