Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former president of the Nigerian Senate, expressed his gratitude after the Supreme Court overturned a previous Federal High Court decision involving a N3.5 billion fraud case against Melrose General Services Limited, which was allegedly connected to him.
Saraki described the case as a politically motivated effort by the Buhari administration to discredit him through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement on his X handle, Saraki framed the Melrose case as a proxy war aimed at victimising him, similar to his earlier Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) case from which he was also acquitted.
He claimed that the allegations of fraud related to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) were designed to undermine his position as Senate President and damage his reputation.
The EFCC had previously secured a judgement on April 27, 2018, for the forfeiture of N1.4 billion, alleging it was fraudulently obtained by Melrose General Services Limited from the NGF.
Saraki argued that this was part of a broader strategy to weaken the Senate’s independence and disrupt its functioning.
Saraki further stated that the case was not a genuine anti-corruption effort but rather an attack on Nigeria’s democratic principles, including the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
The former Senate president argued that the Buhari administration’s goal was to sow discord within the legislature and silence dissent.
The Supreme Court’s decision, according to Saraki, brought a lengthy and challenging legal battle to a just conclusion, reaffirming his innocence.
He praised the judiciary for its diligent examination of the case and adherence to due process, which he said ensured justice prevailed.
Saraki however urged Nigerians to see the court’s ruling as an inspiration to continue advocating for the rule of law, democratic principles, and the fight against corruption.
