Olumide Lawal
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has debunked allegations linking him to car seized by Nigerian Customs Service that were untrue.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusup Olaniyonu, Saraki said the allegation of importation of the vehicle by him lacked basis and was an outright falsehood.
According to the statement, from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it is obvious that the President of the Senate has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.
“A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle and while transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by Customs. We believe that is an issue between the supplier and the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery.
“So, why is somebody trying to drag the name of Saraki into the issue?
“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out”, Olaniyonu stated.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate had at plenary directed the Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate alleged irregularities on car importation duty leveled against Saraki.
The move to investigate the allegation followed a motion by former Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume (APC-Borno).
In the motion, Ndume said that the alleged seizure of car belonging to Saraki had made the senate a subject of public ridicule.
He, therefore, urged the upper chamber to investigate the matter, while the committee was given four weeks to submit its report.
