The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said the acquittal of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal “suggests serious shortcomings in the criminal justice system.”

The CCT on Wednesday had dismissed 18-count charges of false assets declaration against Saraki.

In a statement by its deputy director Timothy Adewale, the group said Saraki’s acquittal has shown that high-ranking public office holders accused of corruption would not be held accountable.

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It said, “The acquittal yesterday of the Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) of corruption charges suggests serious shortcomings in the criminal justice system, and means that a complementary and supportive mechanism in the form of a UN-backed commission against corruption and impunity in Nigeria is urgently needed to achieve President Muhammadu Buhari’s oft-stated anti-corruption agenda.”

The group asked Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to establish a UN-backed International Commission Against Corruption and Impunity to assist Nigeria’s judicial system.

It said, “Supporting a strong partnership between Nigerian prosecutors and international law enforcement experts would show that the authorities have the ability and political will to chip away at the country’s corruption and impunity of perpetrators, and help address Nigerians’ scepticism about the viability of the anti-corruption agenda.

“Further, to end a culture of corruption and impunity of perpetrators, we urge the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN to urgently take over the prosecution of the corruption case against Mr Saraki by ensuring that the CCT decision is urgently appealed and that the case is diligently prosecuted within the limits of the rule of law.

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“The outcome of the Saraki’s case sends a damaging message that suspected corrupt leaders can get away with their crimes while keeping their stolen assets. Many would-be corrupt leaders may now see engaging in acts of corruption a risk worth taking.

“The Guatemalan commission established by the UN in 2006 has a strong record of fighting organised crime and high-level corruption and the Nigerian authorities can learn valuable lessons from its operation and achievements in the efforts to take the fight against corruption in this country to another level.”