Saraki Senate President denies involvement in $2bn arms deal, threatens to sue Sahara Reporters

Saraki said he has never served in any committee or body that has to do with Defence or national security.

Senate President, Bukola Saraki 
Senate President, Bukola Saraki. 
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki denied involvement in the $2 million arms deal in which former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) is facing trial for.
In a statement by Saraki's Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, he stated that he had never, in his entire political career, served on any committee or body which connected with Defence or national security.
The statement read, "As a member of the Seventh Senate, Dr. Saraki was not a member of any of the committees which have oversight function on the Ministry of Defence or the intelligence and national security apparatus.
"If he was tagged the leader of the opposition to the Jonathan administration, how then will he be privy to Arms purchases and have the influence to blackmail any government agency or institution over the release of funds.
"The Senate President would like to alert members of the public to this new plot by this particular online medium, SaharaReporters to tarnish his reputation as the medium and its sponsors pursue the singular objective of removing him from the office of the Senate President, an objective they have since failed to achieve within and outside the National Assembly"
SaharaReporters had published a report claiming that Saraki once blackmailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to give him and other Senators the sum of N250 million to cover up the arbitrary withdrawal by the NSA from the security fund approved by the former President.
The statement however accused the online news platform of making relentless effort to tarnish the image of the senate president with the intention of seeing him impeached.
"First, there is no logic in SaharaReporters’ claim as Dr. Saraki who was persecuted by the last administration could not have had the influence and good standing to walk up to the Central Bank to demand for any money having exposed many atrocities of the past administration.
"Again, on what ground would the Senate President blackmail anyone for 250 Million naira? It must be emphasized here that Dr. Saraki will never engage in any sharp practice or issue which will warrant him to blackmail any individual or government institution," Olaniyonu said.
He emphasised that, "Dr. Saraki did not collect any money from any official of the CBN in respect of any arms deal. The Senate President also challenge SaharaReporters or any official of the apex bank, Senator, serving or past, who witnessed or participated in any sharing of the alleged money purported to have been received by him, to come out with evidence.
"It should be recalled that SaharaReporters believe it can continue to disparage and defame people claiming that it is operating outside the country. The medium cannot operate above the law."
The Senate President office has however indicated its resolve to institute a legal process to curb the 'excesses' of the medium.

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