The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Wednesday, said his commitment to the ongoing
anti-corruption fight was responsible for his decision to authorize the appeal
against the judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, which acquitted the
Senate President, Bukola Saraki of all charges bordering on false assets
declaration.
Following Saraki’s acquittal at the CCT, Malami, through a
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, had yesterday filed an appeal against the
judgement which he described as unreasonable.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity, Salihu Isah and the Special Assistant to the President on
Prosecution, AGF Office, Okoi Obono-Obla, Malami said,“The Honourable Attorney
of the Federation wishes to assure Nigerians that despite some recent setbacks
recorded in some of the cases involving politically exposed people; that the
war against corruption is fully on course.
“It shall be fought resolutely, painstakingly, doggedly,
purposefully and determinedly with all the constitutional and legal arsenals at
the disposal of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“The Federal Government is more than ever before committed
towards the complete eradication of the scourge of corruption and graft in the
country.
“In this regard, the Honourable Attorney General of the
Federation has directed that a Notice of Appeal be lodged against the ruling of
the Code of Conduct Tribunal acquitting and discharging false assets
declaration case preferred against the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.”
“those in a hurry to condemn due to the temporary setbacks
recorded lately” that “they should tarry awhile because a legal process is
deemed not concluded until it terminates at the Supreme Court which is the
highest court of arbitration in Nigeria.”
By Seun Opejobi
