Zakari Mohammed (APC-Kwara) at the weekend denied complicity in the power outage that occurred during the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) last Wednesday.
Mohammed, who doubles as chairman, House Committee on Basic Education, reportedly accused the lawmaker who was part of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives that accompanied Saraki to the Tribunal, of being the brain behind the power outage with the intent to truncate the trial.
The lawmaker, who denied knowledge of the incident, in a chat with BDSUNDAY described it as ‘Yellow Journalism’ enjoyed by Nigerians but dangerous to democratic system and attempt to set him on collision course against security agencies.
While noting that no individual or himself could truncate justice system, Mohammed argued that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act clearly stipulates the timelines for a Court or Tribunal to dispose of cases.
He said: “It was true that I attended the court session like other members of the National Assembly, we all experienced the outage at the sitting and bore the heat like everyone. It sounds absurd that I will sponsor outage to cause discomfort for myself and others.
“There is no nexus between outage and Justice being dispensed by the tribunal. Whether there is outage or not, the trial has started in full swing and Saraki has never boycotted any sitting. The ACJ Act is clear on cases on timelines for a Court or Tribunal to dispose of cases. No individual can slow down the court not to talk of an ordinary citizen like me.”
The lawmaker, who alleged that the report was part of bigger picture to haunt core loyalists of Saraki like him, urged the Media not to be held “hostage by these never-do-well individuals masquerading as sources because of dirty politics in Kwara State.
“I am not a fraudulent, violent and disruptive individual. I cut my teeth in politics through the rungs without ruffling feathers.
“With about 95 percent of the contents of the story devoted to my political antecedents and 2019 politics, it was obvious that some forces with a hidden agenda were behind the story.
“Tomorrow belongs to Allah, I am not a desperate politician. I will rather concentrate on my present mandate than being overwhelmed by 2019 politics.
“It is incontrovertible that I owe my political tutelage to Saraki dynasty of which the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki is its scion. I cannot disown or deny the Senate President because he is on trial for allegations yet to be proven beyond reasonable doubt. He remains a leader in whom I am well-pleased in and out of political office.
“Those who sneak to the President of the Senate at night and attack him through any wild medium in day time should know that their antics will soon be discovered.”
KEHINDE AKINTOLA
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
