Nigeria’s senate chief acquitted in corruption trial

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) – Nigeria’s senate chief Bukola Saraki was on Wednesday acquitted of all 18 charges, putting an end to the country’s much-publicized corruption case.

“The prosecution could not prove a prima facie against the defendant, or link him to the crime,” ruled Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which hears corruption cases in the country.

Umar said that the witnesses brought by the prosecution were incoherent, and dismissed all charges against Saraki, including those of false asset declaration and unlawful operation of foreign accounts.

The government may file an appeal against the ruling, although it has yet to disclose its plan of action.

The hearing of the case was adjourned several times as Saraki tried to stall his trial, but the Supreme Court in a 2016 ruling ordered him to stand trial.

The lawmaker, who was present at the tribunal in the capital city Abuja, has not made any official comment on the verdict.

In the past, he had repeatedly dismissed the charges against him, calling them politically motivated.