Nigeria court issues arrest warrant for senate president

Speaking in an interview with journalists in Ilorin on the recent visit of the body to Saraki in Abuja, Abdulhamid Adi, president of the union, wondered why the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) failed to raise any issue concerning the senate president’s asset declaration forms since 2003.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in a ruling in his chambers ordered the Federal Ministry of Justice, Chairmen of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal and M. S Hassan (1st to 4th respondent) to appear before him to show cause why they should not be stopped from arraigning Saraki.

He stated that Mr. Saraki, who is the Turaki of Ilorin, is the first son of the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State in general, to emerge Senate President and therefore expressed solidarity with him.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said he has no plans of leaving his party, the All Progressives Congress.

“This should be effected by the inspector-general of police”, judge Danladi Umar said.

He stressed that the position of high court remained superior to any tribunal, noting that the restraining order did not mean that the court had taken side.

A top source said: “I think the long session of the tribunal on Friday accounted for the delay in making the warrant available to the police”. He is also ready to co-operate with the Tribunal and other lawful government agencies in the bid to genuinely fight corruption and eliminate impunity in our public affairs. Those who spoke on the issue include Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), Chief Morah Ekwumoh and Tayo Oyetibo (SAN).

He said that the President has vowed to respect the rule of law and is doing that by staying out of the matter. If it is true that he did not truly declare his assets as governor of Kwara State between 2003 to 2011, that is an offence.

“He has also been consulting with his strategists on how to vacate the Bench warrant against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.” “So, it’s likely that the order would get to us on Monday”.

She avoided further comments when pressed to expatiate on the development. You do not make comment on the merit of said charge.