Transparency International (Nigeria), has described the acquittal
of Senate President, Bukola Saraki at the CCT as a sad day for the
nation’s anti-corruption war.
It said the victory of the senate president was a calculated attempt to downplay the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria.
The Head of the Nigeria chapter of TI, Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani said
that what transpired at the CCT was a clear indication that Nigeria’s
corrupt elite were united and will stop at nothing to circumvent the
system.
Musa-Rafsanjani in a statement stated, that, “It is another sad day
for the anti-corruption fight in Nigeria. I think Nigerians are sad that
this has happened. It just goes to show that Nigeria’s corrupt elite
are united.
“To take advantage of the system is their thing; they will continue
to connive against the Nigerian people. They have no regard for
ethno-religious or party affiliation, the corrupt Nigerian elite are
united in perpetuating violence and plundering our resources to
perpetuate themselves in power.
“You can see how they were celebrating this kangaroo verdict, which
is a calculated attempt to demoralise the anti-corruption community in
Nigeria’s attempt to fight corruption.
“Even those people like (Col. Sambo) Dasuki (retd,) and all those who
helped themselves to our collective patrimony during the President
Jonathan era, who are standing trial for corruption, may be set free by
this judiciary, but we must never give up. We must continue to fight
until we rid this nation of the traces of corruption.”
Meanwhile, Human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has lauded the acquittal of Senate President Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.