Sen. Bukola Saraki |
The Senate, on Tuesday, decided to investigate the
allegation that an armoured Range Rover car said to worth N298m and seized by
the Nigeria Customs Service belongs to the President of the Senate, Senator
Bukola Saraki.
The move was based on a point of order raised by former
Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, who also called on the upper
chamber of the National Assembly to investigate the certificate scandal
involving Senator Dino Melaye.
An online news portal, Sahara Reporters, which made the
allegation in a report published on March 18, 2017, said the seizure of the
Sports Utility Vehicle, allegedly belonging to Saraki, was the reason why the
Senate was moving against the Controller General of the NCS, Col. Hammed Ali
(retd.).
The medium reported that the car was intercepted and
impounded on January 11, 2017, by the service for allegedly having fake
documents.
Sahara Reporters had also in another report alleged that
Melaye did not graduate from the Ahmad Bello University Zaria, Kaduna State,
but was parading a fake certificate.
Ndume, at the plenary on Tuesday, said previous certificate
scandals involving members of the National Assembly were probed by the
lawmakers.
He said, “One has to do with the distinguished Senator
Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, and it was reported in a paper; I have it
here. With your permission, I will want to, after making presentation, lay it
down. It says that, ‘Senate on Vengeance After Nigeria Customs seized Senator
Saraki’s bullet-proof Range Rover Over Fake Documents.’
“My colleagues that are following events, particularly
online, have seen, heard or read the train of abuses on this Senate and the
misconception of the fact that we invited the Customs CG based on a very
unpopular policy that affects the people we represent. But now, we are faced
with this and the (Senate) President has been found in this National Assembly.
“During the 4th Assembly, Salisu Buhari was accused of
certificate forgery; he was investigated and determined. After that, in the 5th
Assembly, Bello Masari was accused of certificate forgery (secondary school);
it was investigated and was cleared. In the 6th Senate, Dimeji Bankole was
accused of not having NYSC certificate; it was investigated and he had to show
his NYSC certificate.
“Now, that brings me to the second matter. In the National
Assembly, here in the Senate of the 4th Assembly, Enwerem was accused and it
was also investigated. Wabara was accused of collecting bribe and it was
investigated and determined. So, a lot of precedences have been set. Now, the
second matter of privilege affects my colleague, Sheikh Dino Melaye, and it is
in the Punch of today (Tuesday) on Page 10; I have the newspaper. In Punch, it
says, ‘Dino Melaye in first-degree certificate scandal.'”
Ndume also quoted an online medium with a report titled,
‘Dino Melaye Allegedly Did Not Graduate From University.’
He added, “Therefore, accordingly, I will appeal we refer
the matter to Ethics and Privileges to investigate so that our colleagues would
be cleared and this Senate will stand as it is supposed to.”
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who
presided over the plenary, referred the matter to the Committee on Ethics,
Privileges and Public Petitions, which was asked to report back to the
lawmakers in four weeks.
Saraki, however, denied any link with the seized car.
The Special Adviser to Senate President on Media and
Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a statement, stated that the allegation
“lacks basis as it was outright falsehood.”
Olaniyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized
vehicle, it was obvious that the Senate President had nothing to do with the
importation of any vehicle.
He said, “A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a
vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was
impounded by the Customs. We believe that is an issue between the supplier and
the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So, why is somebody
trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue.
“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general
public to view and make their conclusions. Now that the matter has been referred
to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will
be out.”
Melaye, who is a member of the committee, in his reaction
after the plenary, told journalists that he was ready to be probed. He also
said he would suspend his membership of the panel pending the determination of
the case.
He said, “I and here to respond to the issue raised by the
Boko Haram suspect (and) senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator
Ali Ndume. I want to say, to me, it is a welcome development. Democracy is
about investigation and no senator is above investigation. To me, it is a welcome
development and it will finally clear the air on all the malicious and
vindictive allegations.
“To say that I did not graduate from ABU is to say that I am
not a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ABU is a very prestigious
university in this country and it is not possible for one to be running a
master’s programme in the university when one did not graduate from a
university. I have successfully completed one and I am doing the second one.
“I want to announce that this is the eighth degree that I am
pursuing. I am also a graduate of University of Abuja, where I did Masters in
Policy Analysis. I am a graduate of London School of Economics and Political
Science. I am also a graduate of Harvard University. The course I am pursuing
now will make it my eighth degree.”
When asked what would happen to his membership of the panel
asked to probe him, Melaye replied, “Definitely, in the interest of justice, I
will excuse myself from the consideration of this matter except when invited
for questioning.”
He added, “I have my admission letters, results, certificate
of discharge from ABU. Not only that, I was the Student Union Government
President of ABU. On three occasions, I was the most popular student on
campus.”
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