Saraki’s Trial Resumes Today

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The trial of Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on alleged falsification of assets has resumed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal today, Wednesday, April 6, 2016.

The trial resumed with both counsel to the case, announcing their appearances. Meanwhile, eighty-nine lawyers are representing the Senate President.

The Chief Prosecution witness, Mr Michael Wekpas says the documents on the banking details of the Senate President are part of the intelligence report handed over to his team by the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamorde.

But the team officially wrote to the bank (GTB) to get their own version of the documents.

This was aimed at verifying the authenticity of the document.

He added that the bank did furnish the team with the account opening package and statement of account.

Mr Wekpas said they demanded for transaction instruments in the account, including telex transfer booklets which were all provided.

According to the witness, the request was made for three personal accounts belonging to the defendant.

The documents have been presented to him for confirmation.

The team has also asked for the loan request form concerning loans taken on the Naira account, which was also provided.

Among the documents forwarded is the loan offer letter of 300 million Naira, dated  February 10, 2010, for the alleged purchase of a house in London.

Mr Wekpas alleges that a certain Abdul Adamma on one occasion deposited 10 million Naira into the Senate President’s account with GTB.

He also says that the Senate President through his company Carlisle Properties and Investment limited made a draft payment in favour of the Presidential Committee on Sales of Properties for the purchase of a property in Lagos.

The witness also alleges that there was a loan disbursement by the GTB on the sum of 200 million Naira, which preceded the draft made to the Presidential Committee on Sales of Federal Government property.

According to him, on October 16, 2006, the defendant allegedly obtained loans totalling 380 million Naira from GTB.

On that same day, Mr Wekpas claims that two bank drafts were made in favour of the Presidential implementation committee on sales of some federal Government property to the tune of 256,312,815 Naira .

During hearing on Tuesday the counsel to the Senate President, Mr Paul Usoro, had asked for an adjournment on the basis that an appeal had been entered before the appellate court.

The defendant filed a motion of stay of proceedings which is before the Registrar of the court, he told the Tribunal.

Mr Usoro said that the process of appeal had been transmitted to the CCT and the record of appeal was before the Tribunal.

He explained that the prayer for adjournment was to essentially allow the Court of Appeal to entertain and arrive at a decision in the appeal, which it had graciously fixed a clear date of April 26, 2016 to hear.