Saraki as individual on trial, not Senate – Lawyer says

A Legal practitioner, Mr Remi Agwuezie, has called on the Nigerian Senate to face the business of law making rather than dissipate energy on the trial of Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.

Agwuezie made the call on Tuesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria in Calabar, Cross River State.

“They should allow the Senate President to face his trial as an individual not as Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We have 109 Senators and when one is facing trial others should continue to make laws for the country.

“Instead of causing confusion among their colleagues they should face the real business of law making, which is the main reason why they are there.

“They should stop making the trial a major issue, ‘’ he said.

He said it was a misnomer, the way the trial was allowed to take centre stage instead of the business of law making.

The lawyer pointed out that, in Law, Saraki being a citizen of Nigeria, is subject to the Law of the country, just like any other Nigerian citizen in spite of his status.

“It is not the senate as an institution that is on trial but Saraki as an individual; so, the law should be allowed to run its full cause, while the senate as an institution moves on, ‘’ he said.

Agwuezie stressed the need for the country to build strong institutions rather than strong individuals.

“We should learn to build strong institutions rather than strong individuals, ‘’ he said.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for fighting corruption in Nigeria, describing the action as courageous and bold.

“The wrought has been on for too long; and Mr President must be commended and supported to rid the country of this mess, called corruption, ‘’ he said.