IN DEFENSE OF THE TRUTH: SAHARA REPORTERS SUSPICIOUS MOTIVES FOR ATTACKING DR. SARAKI

On Thursday, August 6th, 2015, SaharaReporters published a totally fabricated report entitled: "Nigeria's Senate President Saraki Lied In His Official Election Forms" on its website. In that dubious and utterly false report, SR alleged that the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, is not a Nigerian citizen. The article went further, based solely on suppositions to infer that Dr. Saraki intentionally avoided question 10 on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) form for candidates contesting National Assembly elections and by so doing must have sworn to an oath of allegiance to another country, such as United Kingdom, the report concluded. The article also suggested that the Senate President avoided stating his place of birth on the INEC form, and that he is intentionally concealing his UK citizenship to avoid being disqualified in any way from political office.

One is not unminful of the obvious fact that freedom of expression may be absolutely basic human right, but it is pertinent to state that it is not without limits. This obvious fact has brought to bear, what is the essence of journalism which is meant to educate, orientate and bring out the truth to ensure justice, equity and fairness in every human endeavor. Unfortunately, it seems the tenets of professional journalism means nothing to Sahara Reporters.

As it stands, a detailed perusal of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, clearly indicates that the point Sahara Reporters is attempting to raise is moot – especially with regards to holding UK citizenship. The ready question at hand to ask is; why Sahara Reporter has intentionally remained silent and avoided to look into the constitutional Provisions of right to hold dual citizenship, especially where the party in question holds Nigerian citizenship by birth. The second relevant question is, if in fact, the purpose of such a publication was for public interest, has Sahara Reporters carried out diligent investigation on the authenticity of its report before publication? If the answers to the above questions are in the negative, then the rationale behind the report is for obvious reasons.

For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, Section 25(1)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution discredit Sahara Reporters' argument that Dr. Saraki is ineligible for public office. The section clearly stipulates that “every person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria” are considered “citizens of Nigeria by birth.” What this means is that even if the Senate President were born in the UK, he will qualify as a citizen of Nigeria by birth under S.25(1c) – citizen by birth through parentage.

Also, there has always been a flawed misconception on the issue of dual citizenship vis-a-vis a holder of public office in Nigeria. S.28 of the 1999 Constitution (as (amended) deals with this wherein it highlights the fact that only those who are Nigerians by registration or naturalization shall forfeit their citizenship if they acquire the citizenship of another country. It is important to state at this juncture that the requirement to forfeit Nigerian nationality/citizenship upon acquisition of the nationality/citizenship of another country, does not apply to persons who are Nigerians by birth within the definition of Section 25 of the Constitution. This section also acknowledges and protects the right to hold citizenship by birth of another country – as citizenship by birth is an inalienable right under the Constitution

Furthermore, to put this particular issue to rest, the import of S.66(1)(a) of the Constitution can not be underestimated. The section clearly states that: "Subject to S.28 of the Constitution, any body who has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country must be disqualified. The key word here is ‘voluntarily’, and is subject to the provisions of S.28, which protect the right to hold the citizenship of another country if such citizenship is acquired by birth.

In other words, Section 28 states clearly that dual citizenship is allowable where one qualifies as a Nigerian by Birth as contained in Section 25 (1) (a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution. The only instance in which forfeiture of citizenship becomes applicable under the Constitution is by holders of: i) citizenship by registration under Section 26; and ii) citizenship by naturalization, under Section 27 of the Constitution.

The Court of Appeal decision in the case of Dr. Willie Ogebide v. Mr. Arigbe Osula {2004} 12 NWLR Part 886 pp 127 paragraphs D-G says it all. Adeniji JCA reading the lead judgment held that:

Holding the citizenship of another country does not preclude, disqualify or nullify a person from having, acquiring or retaining Nigerian citizenship by birth. This is even more prevalent where such citizenship has been acquired by birth. Furthermore, there is no requirement for a dual citizen of Nigeria (by birth) and another country to renounce either citizenship.
In view of the above, holding dual citizenship does not mean that a public office holder, like the Senate President had earlier changed his nationality in the past; it simply means he has held both citizenships simultaneously without the need to acquire one after the other. As both were acquired by birth, the Senate President automatically had both citizenships ‘bestowed’ on him from the moment of his birth.

To this end, citizens of a country by birth do not need to swear to an oath of allegiance to that country; it is only citizenship acquired through naturalization and registration that have the requirement to take an oath of allegiance. Above all, there is no evidence that Dr. Saraki took an oath of allegiance or intentionally attempted to conceal his UK citizenship – especially as he has never denied holding the citizenship in question.

One is however uncomprensible, as it beats ordinary sense of imagination of how Sahara Reporters went to extent of producing and pasting fake UK passport claiming it to be that of Senator Bukola Saraki. What on earth would Sahara Reporters benefit from such "pull him down at all cost" syndrome? This is an indication that the online media outfit is out to tarnish the image of the President of the Senate. It is a confirmation of the fact that Sahara Reporters is doing the bidding of its pay masters which is well known to all and sundry as the man behind the scene will soon be exposed and brought to the public domain.

It is also of importance to state categorically here that Senator Saraki's UK passport as posted on the website of Sahara Reporters is a forged document that deserve thorough investigation by the UK Home and passport Office. Senator Saraki on the 19th of July 2015, has instructed his Solicitors in UK to write the UK Home Office to commence immediate investigation into this act of criminality .There is no doubt that this is a typical criminal offence against the State and also an act of defamation of character against the President of the Senate and whoever is found responsible should be prosecuted. The question that needs to be unravelled thereof by the UK Home and passport Office, among other things; where did Sahara Reporters get a forged or fake UK passport which it claims it belongs to Senator Saraki and decided to post same on its website?.

To this end, it is no longer shocking, based on the antecedents of Sahara Reporters, the extent to which Sahara Reporters and its sponsors are willing to go to malign the person of Senator Saraki; passing off a forged/fake document as authentic is no doubt a criminal offence in every jurisdiction. Now that the entire public has clarity on Sahara Reporters and it's criminal indulgence, Sahara Reporters needs to explain the source of this fake document to the UK Home Office. Sahara Reporters, its cronies, allies and sponsors must be ready to face the full course of law upon conclusion of the investigation by the UK Authorities. We hereby urge the public to remain vigilant and be watchful of reports and and stories published by Sahara Reporters as they may be laced with blatant lies, deceit and criminality devoid of any iota of truth. We shall make public, the outcome of the investigation by the UK Home office and passport office.

Bamikole Omishore
Special Assistant on New Media
Office of The Senate President

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153562507854962&id=53942489961&refid=28&_ft_=qid.6180995146458083982%3Amf_story_key.387647998345556571%3AeligibleForSeeFirstBumping.

just imagine, these desert reporters are very good at what they do; putting blemish on peoples reputation.

Saharareporters also known as Tinubureporters, abeg bone dem ja re.

Severer or sorry Sahara reporters has lost it's trust. I don't believe anything from sahara again.

Well, I don't do saharareporters

Mogidi:
Saharareporters also known as Tinubureporters, abeg bone dem ja re.

By 2017, only the letter A in APC would remain and it will only be used for the new party starting Amalgamated.....

Never knew the party was this unprepared. This is definitely an inside job.

Place of Biirth nko? U no talk about that one?

ok

This is what I refer to as DISTRACTION

I see

But he did not answer all the questions

Let me sufficiently quote Senator Bukola Saraki in his reply to Sahara Reporter: an APC propaganda machine tool which he had fallen out of favour with...
"This obvious fact has brought to bear what is the essence of journalism which is meant to educate, orientate and bring out the truth to ensure justice, equity and fairness in every human endevour. Unfortunately, it seems the tenets of proffessional journalism means nothing to Sahara Reporters"
I cant imagine that this is coming from a candidate elected on the flag of APC. This is unbelievable when a Senator of the Federal Replubic of Nigeria shows total oblivion to the tool which they all rode to power. They think we are fools; this is the same media tool that would sing for Saraki if it amend his ways with Tinubu. We all know the piper and it is Tinubu, but Saraki had played ignorance of the man behind the mask and act as if it was all those media gossip. In no distant time Nigerians would soon know that Sahara Reporter is not just a media tool but APC PROPAGANDA MEDIA TOOL. LET NO NIGERIAN SHOW SYMPATHY TO SAKARI; THE CHICKENS HAS GOT TO ROOST

.

Buffalo

And you all expects me to read this long story, its meant for APC consumption. #proudly PDP

Utter rubbish.

Let me repeat:

This statement is nothing but complete bullucks.

Did Saraki write a date of Birth in a column meant for place of birth?? ____ Yes.

Is Saraki Blind or an literate not to know the difference between Place and date of birth?? ____ No.

Was Saraki drunk when filling the form?? ____ Unlikely.

Is Saraki a citizen of the UK?? ____ Yes.

Did Saraki lie in the form on the question of whether he holds citizenship of another country?? ____ Yes.



Whether the motive is genuine or not, Saraki committed a crime of perjury and must be held accountable, period. No amount of paid hacks or media aides spamming the web with inane epistles would change that.

Exactly what they did to Jonathan. And I wonder if this sahara reporters cannot be shot down if radio braifa can be shot down what about this sahara report own by Tinubu and friends. But my question here is is Saraki not an APC? What is so special about Gbajabiala abi his name be d speaker or lawan? Man propose God despossed so take it or leave it Dr Saraki is the senate president. And since this is all Nigerians interest we are good with it. Please sue this so called reporter 300 billion Naira and let them shot down forever. They think everybody is Jonathan

both saraki and sahara repoters are liars who i go come believe

APC vs APC.

Tinubu vs Saraki

The 2 S (Saraki and Saharareporters) have 1 thing in COMMON, it's called IMAGE.

They both have tainted IMAGE soiled in the MUD. Let the dead bury themselves.

9ja.....

Where Law makers are also journalists and critics....

coolestrogue:
And you all expects me to read this long story, its meant for APC consumption.
#proudly PDP

Fowl

Ghen ghen

I watched with enthusiasm what will be ur response to question 10 on electoral form that was avoided by u did not provide and reply. My take on this is guilty as speculated.

ao e take consan me,jst tel me.

allegations and counter allegations

Ok

Love Jesus

kennydee05:
Ok

omojoshy:
The 2 S (Saraki and Saharareporters) have 1 thing in COMMON, it's called IMAGE.
They both have tainted IMAGE soiled in the MUD. Let the dead bury themselves.

londongal03:
ok

cvibe2:
Ok.
www.OnlyWorkingClass.com

omenka:
Utter rubbish.

Nonybb:
Rr

sammyj:
.

Why una deh like this