Saraki Relocates From Residence, As Police Awaits Warrant For His Arrest

As the Nigerian police said they are yet to see a bench warrant to arrest Bukola Saraki following an order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Senate President is reported to have relocated from his personal residence to the official guest house of the office of the Senate of the Senate President.

The relocation according to source in the know is for “security Reasons”, especially to prevent the action of the police if they eventually move to arrest him

It was learnt that the invasion of the Guest House by the police to arrest Saraki might be considered an assault on the Senate.

A source said: “The President of the Senate has relocated from his personal house in Abuja. Saraki is now staying in the official Guest House of the President of the Senate which is like a sacred place like the hallowed chamber of the Senate.

“If the police and security agencies invade or storm the place, it will amount to a slap on the upper chamber. This can make the Senate to join issues with the Executive despite the fact that there is no immunity for any National Assembly leaders.

“He has also been consulting with his strategists on how to vacate the Bench warrant against him by the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

When contacted, an aide to the Senate President, however, said: “He actually moved to the Guest House since Monday because of the ongoing renovation in his personal residence due to a recent fire incident.”

As at press time, however, the police could not effect the arrest of Saraki because it was still awaiting a copy of the Bench warrant from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

There were indications that the warrant might be sent to the police on Monday.

“The police are yet to receive the Code of Conduct Tribunal bench warrant”, ordering the Senate President’s arrest, a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Adebisi  Kolawole, also said, yesterday.

She avoided further comments when pressed to expatiate on the development.

A top source said: “I think the long session of the tribunal on Friday accounted for the delay in making the warrant available to the police.

“And a tribunal will have no justification for issuing warrant of arrest on Saturday when it is not an official period.

“The police have to be careful because any procedural error in the execution of bench warrant could affect the merit or otherwise of the case at hand.

“The police can get the warrant by 8am on Monday and effect the arrest of the President of the Senate immediately.”