Nigeria, April 29, 2016 – The Code of Conduct Tribunal(CCT) has fixed 10th of May, 2016 for further cross examination of the prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas, in the case against President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on alleged preemptive assets declaration.
The defense counsels led by Paul Usoro however opposed these, stating that the learned prosecution counsel should have come by way of motion.
Tribunal Chairman, Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar assisted by Agwadza William Atedze declined to accede to the demand of Saraki on the ground that as long as the case is ongoing, there was no need for the prosecution to come by way of motion to amend his charges.
Three additional charges were brought before Saraki.
In the fresh charges, the Federal Government through CCB is accusing Saraki of not declaring his interest in a foreign credit card account to which he was alleged to have transferred huge sum of money.
Also in the other amended charges, Saraki was accused of receiving monthly salaries from Kwara State Government between 2011 to 2015, after he had left office as governor and while serving as a senator.
The amended charges are: “That you on or about, September 16, 2013 within the jurisdiction of this honorable Tribunal did make a false declaration in the asset declaration form for public officers which you filled and submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon assumption of office as the governor of Kwara State in the year, 2003 as governor of Kwara State, by your failure to declare your leasehold interest in number 42, Remi Fani-Kayode Street, Ikeja, Lagos, which you acquired through your company, Skyview Properties Limited, from First Finance Trust Limited on December 12, 1996 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(1)(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, CAP. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1)(2),I 5th schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under Section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the 5th schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
That you between June, 2011 and October, 2013, within the jurisdiction of this honorable Tribunal, did receive monthly salaries or emoluments as governor of Kwara State and at the same time, from the Federal Government as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 6(a) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, CAP. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 2(a), Part I of the, 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under Section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the 5th Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Saraki pleaded not guilty to the charges
