EFCC Vs MGSL: Saraki Welcomes Supreme Court Ruling, Says Lawsuit Was A Waste Of ‘Valuable Judicial Resources’
Former Senate President , Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling that overruled the 2018 decision of the Federal High Court on the alleged N3.5 billion fraud case against Melrose General Services Limited.
Saraki submitted that the Supreme Court ruling was a vindication of his assertion a few years ago, that it was a politically motivated case that came into being because he had emerged as president of the 8th senate without the support of certain forces.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on April 27, 2018, secured judgment for the final forfeiture of N1.4billion which the anti-graft agency had claimed that a firm, Melrose General Services Limited, obtained from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through false claims.
Melrose was then allegedly linked to Saraki.
Dissatisfied with the verdict of Justice Cecilia Olatoregun, and the Court of Appeal which had in May 2019, resolved the four contentious issues in favour of the EFCC, Melrose General Services appealed to the Supreme Court asking it to set aside the pronouncement of the lower courts.
Delivering judgment on Friday, June 7, 2024, the Supreme Court panel headed by Justice Akomaye Agim set aside the judgments of the lower courts and ruled in favour of the appellant, Melrose General Services.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Saraki, who welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision via a post on X, noted that the lawsuit ought not to have been filed in the first instance, submitting that ‘it was a disservice to the Nigerian people and a waste of our limited but valuable judicial resources’.
‘As much as this case was between the EFCC and Melrose General Services Limited, it was a proxy war, with Melrose serving as a mere pawn in a larger scheme to victimize and persecute me. It was always clear that this case was a thinly veiled attempt by the Buhari administration to weaponize the legal system for political gain.
The allegations of ‘Paris Club Fraud’ were nothing more than a smokescreen designed to weaken the institution of my office, undermine my political career, and tarnish my reputation through spurious accusations similar to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which also acquitted me of all charges.
As I said in my first appearance at the CCT, this is a politically motivated case. The case was trumped up in the first instance because I emerged as the President of the Senate against the wishes of certain forces.
The fact that this case was even brought to court, based on dubious evidence and procedural irregularities, is proof of the length that some people will go to manipulate the legal system for political gain. It was a disservice to the Nigerian people and a waste of our limited but valuable judicial resources.
I am profoundly grateful to the Almighty Allah, the ultimate arbiter of justice, for guiding the Supreme Court to this righteous verdict. I applaud the judiciary for their meticulous examination of the evidence and adherence to due process, which has ensured that justice prevailed. I also thank Melrose’s legal team for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to a just conclusion.
Moving forward, we all have to canvas for fairness in the fight against corruption. We should see this verdict as an inspiration to champion the rule of law, promote democracy and its institutions, and tolerate divergent views’ he submitted-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
