The Seized Vehicle Are Not Mine – Bukola Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Monday, March 27, appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Saraki was invited by the committee following allegations that a vehicle belonging to him had been seized by customs officers because it was cleared with fake documents.

The committee is investigating the claims due to a petition raised by Senator Ali Ndume.

“Today is another great day in the history of our growing democracy, as I present myself before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on allegation of non-payment of customs duty on an official vehicle by Senate,” Saraki said.

“As the President of the 8th Senate and Senator from Kwara Central, I am proud of the Senate as an institution and its Constitutional role to represent the interests of the Nigerian people.

“Further, I am proud to honor and respect the Senate Rule Book that guides our conduct and activities, which is why today I am presenting myself before the Nigerian Senate Committee.

“We must continue to strengthen all our Institutions so that they can carry out their mandates. This is preferable and beneficial than strengthening individuals.

“We must find ways to guard the institution and ourselves against those who wish to diminish or rubbish institutional and individual’s reputation because of 5 minutes of fame. They try to bring everyone else down while grandstanding. I did not import any vehicle, I did not ask anybody to act on my behalf. The vehicle is not mine.

“We raised the issue on the customs policy based on interest of Nigerians. But those who want to fight the Senate for raising the issue against the retroactive application if the newly introduced policy on duty, chose to fight back using this channel. I urge the ethics committee to protect this institution of the Senate so that it is not ridiculed for political reasons,” he added.

The importer of the armoured Range Rover, Tokunbo Akindele, also told the committee that the seized vehicle does not belong to Saraki.