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, 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.
Comments