By Mumini AbdulKareem
The Kwara State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has applauded the ruling of the Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos which set aside its order of interim forfeiture made against the property of former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, located at 17 and 17A MacDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had approached the Court to seek the permanent forfeiture of the aforementioned property to the Federal Government, alleging that they were procured with stolen funds.
But the Court, in its ruling, dismissed the Commission’s application, saying that the anti-graft agency failed to produce any evidence to substantiate its allegation.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Tunde Ashaolu, the Kwara PDP applauded the Court verdict and congratulated Saraki on the triumph.
The party described the court judgment as a victory for democracy, rule of law and all Nigerians who are averse to impunity, political intimidation and abuse of power.
The statement reads in part: “The pronouncement by Honourable Justice Liman of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court that there is no sufficient basis in the EFCC application for the permanent forfeiture of Dr Sarakiโs houses, further validates our belief that the suit filed by the Commission was founded on falsehood, hate and an attempt to humiliate our leader.
“The EFCC and their sponsors made a lot of noise concerning the property in question and subjected Dr Saraki to media trial but could not prove their false allegations at the court. We are happy that the Court has finally vindicated our Leader and affirmed his innocence.
“This verdict of the court is a victory for democracy, rule of law and all Nigerians that stand against impunity, political intimidation and abuse of power, which are the hallmarks of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration.
“We congratulate our Leader on this ruling and salute his courage, resilience and perseverance throughout the period of the legal battle. It is our prayer that he will continue to overcome every evil plot by his traducers and enemies, both at the State and Federal level.”
Meanwhile, some loyalists of former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, under the aegis of Devoted Minds, have lauded Thursdayโs judgement of the Federal High Court that set aside its order of interim forfeiture made against Sarakiโs property located at 17 and 17A MacDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
In a statement signed by the Administrative Secretary, Kwara Devoted Minds, Owolabi Adebayo Olayinka Kadir, the group congratulated Saraki and praised him for weathering the storm of the legal battle that has lasted several months.
The group described the court ruling as a victory for democracy, adding that the judgment had further reaffirmed the belief that the judiciary is the last hope for the people.
โWe congratulate our dear leader and mentor, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on his triumph at the court. The ruling has validated Saraki’s position that he was innocent of the trumped up charges preferred against him by the EFCC. It has also laid to rest all sponsored lies and propaganda that the Ikoyi houses were bought with stolen funds.
“We commend the trial judge for dispensing justice, without fear or favour. This is a victory for democracy and rule of law, which has further reaffirmed the belief that the judiciary is the last hope for the people.
โIt is pertinent to emphasise that Sarakiโs victory did not come as a surprise to us because we knew from the beginning that the application filed by the EFCC was politically-motivated and based on falsehood. It was very clear that the Commission had no concrete case against Saraki and only subjected him to media trial, with the sole intention to tarnish his image.
“It is quite unfortunate that the EFCC allowed itself to be used by some vested interests to witch-hunt Dr Bukola Saraki. We are however happy that the Court has once again, vindicated our leader. He will continue to prevail over his enemies.”
