. As Customs Seized another Senator’s 13 Cars Smuggled Into Nigeria
The President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has denied allegations that he imported a bullet proof Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Speaking at an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Saraki said that the said vehicle was not imported by him neither is the vehicle his.
Last week, the media broke with reports alleging that Saraki imported a Bullet Proof SUV which was seized by the Nigerian Customs Service for non-payment of accurate duty on the vehicle.
The reports further alleged that the action of the NSC was the major reason why the Red Chamber went all out for the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.) over his new policy on vehicle duty.
Going by the allegation, Sen. Ali Ndume had urged the senate to investigate the allegations with a view to clearing the name of Saraki and saving the integrity of the Senate.
The matter was referred to the Ethics Committee of the Senate by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary on Thursday.
Appearing before the committee on Monday, Saraki said that he was proud of teh 8th Senate and was appearing before the committee in recognition of the Senate as an Institution and in reverence to the Democracy that is still growing in Nigeria.
“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.
“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 strenghten 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 my personal car,” he said.
He clarified that the Senate had raised the issue on Customs policy based on the interest of Nigerians.
He however regretted that those who chose to fight the position of the senate desided to do so using false allegations.
“I urge the ethics committee to protect this institution of the Senate so that it is not ridiculed for political reasons,” he said.
Also, the Compliance Task Force that Hammed Ali set up has impounded 223 vehicles, 13 of which belong to a senator in Kano state.
The Task Force Zonal Commander, Mr Bala Dole, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Monday.
He said the vehicles, belonging to the unidentified senator were; 12 new Toyota Hilux and one Land Cruiser Jeep.
Dole, who declined to name the said Senator, said the 13 vehicles were trailed from Maigatari in Jigawa, following an intelligence report, indicating they were smuggled into Nigeria via land borders.
“Based on the intelligence report, the vehicles were 30 in number but we were able to trail 13 of them 12 of which were hidden in the senator’s compound.
“We sealed the house and retrieved the vehicles and they are now in our custody,” Dole said.
The identity of the senator will remain a guessing game for now.
There are three senators representing Kano State.
They are Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Kano central; Barau Jibrin, Kano North and Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, Kano South. All are representing the All Progressives Congress.
The task force also said that it seized other items, including foodstuff worth N269.5 million in Kano and Jigawa states within eight months.
The items included 9,757 bags of rice, 2,916 of foreign supergetti, 2,770 cartons of foreign vegetable oil and 999 cartons of macaroni.
He said others were; 889 veils of second hand clothes, 50 used school bags, 110 cartons of new foreign shoes, 956 bags of mosquito coil and six fairly used cars.
“The total value of the seizure made by the task force since it was established in July 2016, excluding the 13 Senator’s vehicles, is N269.5 million.
“We are yet to determine the cost of the 13 vehicles belonging to the Senator“.