Saraki: I bear no grudge against my persecutors

Senate President Bukola Saraki says he has no grudge against anyone who played a role in his “persecution” for two years.

He also said his discharge by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) did not call for wanton celebration, but for deep reflection.

On Wednesday, the CCT dismissed the 18-count charge of false asset declaration brought against him by the government after a two-year tedious trial.

Until his discharge, Saraki had tried multiple times to have the charges quashed, but he failed.

In a statement issued hours after the ruling of the tribunal, the senate president said his hope in the judiciary had been renewed.

He also said the decision of the tribunal vindicated his position, which is that his trial was politically motivated.

“You would recall that at the beginning of the trial, I maintained that I will clear my name. The conclusion of this trial has vindicated my position. With the outcome of this case, our faith is renewed in our courts and our hope is restored that the judiciary in our country could indeed provide sanctuary for all those who seek justice,” he said.

“I thank the Almighty Allah, the ultimate Judge and the repository of all powers. He alone has brought about this victory. I am immensely grateful to all my colleagues in the national assembly for their abiding support. All through my trial, they demonstrated their strong conviction about the choice we all decided to make two years ago. I thank members of my family for their unflinching support. I thank all friends and supporters back home in Kwara state and across the length and breadth of our country for their prayers and their sacrifices. My gratitude also goes to all members of my legal team for their tireless efforts to ensure the cause of justice is served.

“After undergoing the crucible of a tortuous trial, my vindication today calls for celebration. It is my belief however that if there should be any celebration at all, it should be a celebration of the hopes that this judgment gives us as citizens that despite all the challenges that we face as a country, we are well on our way to building a country where the innocent needs not be afraid. I therefore urge all my supporters to refrain from any unbridled triumphalism. The challenges that our country faces today are enormous and do not allow for wanton celebration. Instead, we should all reflect on the significance of this moment and what it meant for our democracy.

“On a personal note, I harbour no grudge against anyone, regardless of the role they might have played in the persecution that I had endured in the last two years. I believe that If my trial had in anyway given hope to the common man that no matter the forces arraigned against him, he can still get justice in our courts, then my tribulation had not been in vain.

“Once again, I thank my colleagues in the 8th senate for standing firm. Regardless of the distraction of my trial, we have achieved more as legislators than the previous senates. Now that this distraction is over, we can even achieve so much more. We must now proceed from here with greater vigour to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians and show that this 8th senate can indeed play a central role in improving the quality of lives of our people.”