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Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has accused Senator Ali Ndume of trying to smear him by linking him to a bullet-proof Range Rover SUV impounded by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The senate today, following a motion moved by Ndume, resolved to investigate the issue as well as the certificate forgery allegation against Saraki’s ‘bestfriend’ in the Senate, Senator Dino Melaye.
Saraki had been accused in some media reports that he used the Senate to fight the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Hameed Ali, because he reportedly engineered the seizure of the car.
Saraki in a statement by his special adviser on media and public affairs, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said Ndume lied outright against him by claiming that the vehicle belonged to him.
The statement said neither Saraki nor the Senate has anything to do with the vehicle as it was a matter between the Customs and the supplier.
The statement reads: “A supplier was engaged by the Senate to supply a vehicle. While transferring the vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the Customs.
“We believe that is an issue between the supplier and the Customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So, why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue.
“The documents on the vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now, that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the facts will be out.”
Recall that the Senate Tuesday resolved to investigate reports that the impounded vehicle belongs to Saraki and was a reason why the upper chamber is engaged in a war of attrition over wearing of uniform by the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali.