In a statement released by his media
aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Tuesday evening, Mr. Saraki said he was singled
out for prosecution because of his position as the Senate President – an
apparent reference to the controversy over his election as leader of
the Senate.
In the statement, Mr. Saraki said he
previously refused to appear before the tribunal because he was
exploring the “opportunity to defend (his) fundamental human rights in
other courts”.
“As I stated while taking the plea in
the case, I reiterate my belief that the only reason while I am going
through this trial is because I am Senate President. If I were to be
just a Senator, I doubt if anybody will be interested in the asset
declaration form I filled over twelve years ago,” he said.
The statement repeated a claim he made at the tribunal earlier Tuesday that trial did not follow due process.
“This belief stems from the fact that
Section 3 (d) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act provides
that if there is a breach or non-compliance with any section of the law,
the person involved should be given the opportunity to either admit or
deny and that in the case of a written admission, no reference to the
tribunal shall be necessary,” he said.
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