Month: September 2015

I Am Being Prosecuted Because I Am Senate President, Says Saraki

SENATE President Bukola Saraki who appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT following a 13-count charge against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau,over alleged falsification of assets he admitted, said Tuesday that if he was not the Senate President, he would not be going through the present trial.

In a statement tilted, “As I Appear Before The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)” he personally signed Tuesday night, Senate President Bukola Saraki who noted that his appearance before the CCT was a demonstration of his believe in rule of law and respect for the judiciary, said, “Today, I appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the commencement of my trial in a case concerning the asset declaration form I filled in 2003 after I have explored the opportunity to defend my fundamental human rights in other courts.

“My appearance in court today once again demonstrates my belief in the rule of law and respect for the judiciary of our country.

“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.

“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.

So, If the CCB had followed the guidelines, procedure or the due process provided in its own law, we won’t be having this trial.

“It is my humble opinion that this case is a vivid example that there is still flagrant disregard for due process in our polity.

This trial is not only being observed by Nigerians alone, the international community is watching because Nigeria is a key member of this community.

So, the executive, legislature and judiciary should do the right thing that will truly demonstrate that we have imbibed the spirit of positive change.

“It is however necessary for me to thank my colleagues in the Senate for the solid support and solidarity they demonstrated for me.

I also thank my counsel for the brilliance they have shown in presenting our case and the supporters who were present in the Tribunal in their hundreds.

I want to assure you that I am innocent of all the charges and will clear my name in due course.

“May God continue to bless our country.”

Source: I Am Being Prosecuted Because I Am Senate President, Says Saraki

NLC Gives Osun Government 7 Days To Pay Workers’ Arrears

NLC and the Osun State Government have reached a truce that payment of the outstanding Salary arrears owed the workforce should not exceed seven days.

NLCThe Leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Osun State Government have reached a truce that disbursement and payment of the outstanding salary arrears owed the state’s workers should not exceed seven days from Monday.

Rising from a closed door meeting which lasted for hours with Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo, the state Capital on Monday, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, said the bailout funds would be deployed in ‎the payment of salaries.

Mr Wabba assured the workers that the NLC was committed to ensuring that all workers were paid their monthly wages as and when due. He said that the Governor had emphasised the need for the judicious use of the bail out fund to settle the workers salaries first.

The NLC President stated that it was important for government at all levels to look inward and fashion out ways to boost it’s Internally Generated Revenue to avoid a recurrence of the inability of government to pay its workforce.

Although, the number of outstanding months that would be paid is yet to be agreed on‎, Wabba said the state labour was working alongside the government’s delegation to arrive at how best to ease the burden of unpaid salaries on workers.

Meanwhile, Lecturers working in Osun State-owned tertiary institutions on Monday, stormed the State’s House of Assembly in protest of their unpaid salaries.

Mr Rauf Aregbesola, on September 8 assured civil servants that they would be paid their outstanding salary arrearsbefore the end of the month.

‎Aregbesola made the disclosure while speaking at the National flag off ceremony for the distribution of FGN/UBEC plastic chairs and tables to all the states in the country, in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.

He explained that his administration was committed to the welfare of its workers, and reassured them that the eight months salaries owed them would be settled before the end of September.

Source: NLC Gives Osun Government 7 Days To Pay Workers’ Arrears