Saraki, again, denies importing N298m Jeep

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has again denied importing a Jeep worth N298 million.
Saraki made the denial at the hearing to which he was summoned by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The Jeep has been at the centre of the controversy over the invitation of the Controller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Colonel Hameed Ali, by the Senate.
The Senate was reported by a section of the media to have invited Ali for questioning because of his refusal to waive Customs Duties on the Jeep.
Saraki to the Senate Committee on Monday: “As the President of the 8th Senate and Senator from Kwara Central, I am proud of the Senate as an institution and its Constitutional role to represent the interests of the Nigerian people.
“Further, I am proud to honor the Senate Rule Book that guides our conduct and activities, which is why today I am presenting myself to the Committee today.
“I am here in person because I believe that what you are doing will help strengthen this institution.
“The institution must continue to be strengthened to carry out its mandate, rather than strengthening individuals.
“We must find ways to guard the institution and ourselves against those who wish to tarnish the institution and individual’s reputation because of five minutes of fame – they try to bring anyone else down.”
When asked if he had imported the SUV that is the subject of the investigation, the Senate President said: “I did not import any vehicle.
“I did not ask anybody to import any vehicle on my behalf.”
Speaking on the Customs Import Duty policy, Saraki said: “We raised the issue on the Customs policy based on the interest if Nigerians.
“But there are those who want to fight the Senate for raising the issue of retroactive duty.
“I uge committee to protect the institution of the Senate so that it is not ridiculed.”