Tinubu's Statement On Arrival In Lagos Today

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos governor and National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, wishes to thank millions of Nigerians, particularly, Lagosians, the teeming members of the Action Congress of Nigeria for their support and solidarity while the trial over unproven allegations of operating and maintaining foreign accounts lasted.

Most especially, Asiwaju wishes to thank Nigerians in the Diaspora whose interest in the survival of Nigeria has not waned and who followed this development closely. “I sincerely thank Nigerians, my party leaders and members, the indefatigable Nigerian media and other Nigerians for their show of solidarity while my trial lasted. I also take to heart and thank Nigerians in Diaspora whose comments and views I read online daily for their support and believe in the course of justice and fairness”.

The ACN national leader also had encouraging words for the Nigerian judiciary. “The judges in this particular case have demonstrated strong commitment to upholding the rule of law. They have displayed great courage and through this ruling they have demonstrated that the Nigerian judiciary is indeed the last hope of the common man and that in Nigeria, justice is possible”.

Speaking further on the outcome of the trail, Asiwaju promises to rededicate himself to the fight for justice, rule of law and full restoration of democratic rights to all Nigerians. “This outcome will spur me on to greater dedication and desire to do more for my country and her people. I will not relent, but press on in ensuring that Nigerians enjoy good governance and a free society.

Asiwaju believes that the dismissal of the case against him is a vindication of his position years back when the media trial began that these were unproven and politically motivated allegations meant to smear his name and reputation.  After years of media trial and attempted political lynching, the political detractors finally dragged the case to trial jumping many hoops, abusing the process and violating their own laws. “When notice of the commencement of trial was served, I did not evade service. I was ready to defend my name and most importantly blunt the dangling sword of Damocles over my head. Then, I challenged them to go to court and maintained that those who allege must prove. I am glad that the Code of Conduct Tribunal, consistent with the laws of the land and after a painstaking trial have dispensed of my case”.

However, Asiwaju Tinubu insists that the victory at the Tribunal notwithstanding, he seeks to seek further redress because of the injury caused his reputation and inflicted on his businesses and family. He maintains that his anger still lingers over the non-full disclosure of the alleged bank accounts and other details relating to the charges by the government in an effort to portray and falsely classify him as a money launder and looter of public funds. “Where and when are the transactions in these accounts operated?  What are the balances in each of these accounts? What is the ageing analysis of those balances and their sources if any?  , Tinubu queried.” The government prosecutors and some of their political leaders in their media campaign listed these accounts and made spurious allegations making it seem as if I looted public funds and stashed it away in these accounts. Yet they have failed to provide evidence to prove these weighty, yet unfounded allegations, which shows clearly at the tribunal that this was a political persecution from the very beginning”.

“The government and its lawyers in their handling of this case have revealed a crash lack of knowledge of financial rules at home and abroad thus, embarrassing me as a citizen, their own government and the country”. Tinubu further stated that wasting millions of public funds to prosecute a political vendetta is unjustifiable in a country like ours and failing to apply both the principle and doctrine of materiality; cost and benefit analysis in their so-called investigation and prosecution of this case is questionable. “I feel ashamed that the government is using a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and a costly team of attorneys to prosecute this case, thereby demonstrating lack of policy direction to develop and train hundreds of lawyers in the Ministry of justice and office of the public prosecutor. I dare ask what is the aim of outsourcing a case like this to outside lawyers with huge professional bills?

The government equally failed to employ the FOI to disclose to Nigerians how much are in these accounts and how much the government was expending to prosecute.

“I am still in consultation with my attorneys on the next plan of action. The longtime of media trial and political persecution have had toil on my businesses, my political reputation and constituted an infringement of my rights and that of my family as Nigerian citizens”. It is only a wicked system that will list minors and portray them as looters for having in their accounts amounts in the hundreds meant for their upkeep and school runs.

Asiwaju believes that greater battle for the salvation of Nigeria has just begun and he is willing and ready to join hands with all likeminded people to move Nigeria forward as a land of democracy for justice and a secured democracy.