The President of the
Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has denied allegations that he imported a
bullet proof Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Speaking at an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics,
Privileges and Public Petitions, Saraki said that the said vehicle was
not imported by him neither is the vehicle his.
Last week, the media broke with reports alleging that Saraki imported a
Bullet Proof SUV which was seized by the Nigerian Customs Service for
non-payment of accurate duty on the vehicle.
The reports further alleged that the action of the NSC was the major
reason why the Red Chamber went all out for the Comptroller-General of
the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) over his new policy on vehicle duty.
Going by the allegation, Sen. Ali Ndume had urged the senate to
investigate the allegations with a view to clearing the name of Saraki
and saving the integrity of the Senate.
The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee of the Senate by the
Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary
on Thursday.
Appearing before the committee on Monday, Saraki said that he was proud
of teh 8th Senate and was appearing before the committee in recognition
of the Senate as an Institution and in reverence to the Democracy that
is still growing in Nigeria.
“Today is another great day in the history of our growing democracy, as I
present myself before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and
Public Petitions on allegation of non Payment of customs duty on an
Official Vehicle by Senate.
“As the President of the 8th Senate and Senator from Kwara Central, I am
proud of the Senate as an institution and its Constitutional role to
represent the interests of the Nigerian people.
“Further, I am proud to honour and respect the Senate Rule Book that
guides our conduct and activities, which is why today I am presenting
myself before the Nigerian Senate Committee.
“We must continue to strengthen all our Institutions so that they can
carry out their mandates. This is preferable and beneficial than
strengthening individuals.
“We must find ways to guard the institution and ourselves against those
who wish to diminish or rubbish institutional and individual’s
reputation because of 5 minutes of fame. They try to bring everyone else
down while grandstanding.
“I did not import any vehicle, I did not ask anybody to act on my
behalf. The vehicle is not my personal car,” he said.
He clarified that the Senate had raised the issue on Customs policy
based on the interest of Nigerians.
He however regretted that those who chose to fight the position of the
senate decided to so using false allegations.
“I urge the ethics committee to protect this institution of the Senate
so that it is not ridiculed for political reasons,” he said.
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