Saraki in the dock

Mr. Danladi Umar,  Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday said Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki will face the full consequences of the charges of false declaration of assets brought against him by the Federal Government despite the delay tactics being employed by his lawyers.

The tribunal chairman who was reacting to the allegation of delay tactics by the prosecution  counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs against the defendant said that the consequences of the trial and the charges will in no way be reduced on the accused person even if the trial is delayed.

Umar spoke as the defence counsel, Mr Paul Usoro was about to begin cross examination of the prosecution witness, Mr Micheal Wetka.

The CCT Chairman said that he had taken note of the delay tactics being employed by Saraki’s lawyer and warned that the tactics will in no way affect the consequences.

” I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel. And I must say this thing out that this delay tactics will not affect the consequences of this tribunal.

But he had hardly finished speaking before the lead defence counsel,  Kanu Agabi got up and asked the chairman on what he meant by the consequences of the tribunal.

Agabi told the tribunal chairman that he and his client are worried over “assumed prejudices.

The former AGF cautioned the tribunal against influence from opposition and enemies, adding that the defence team is against assumed prejudices as it is against justice.

“From defence side, we are not worried about the law and facts. But we are worried about enemies who may wish to use this tribunal to achieve their ulterior motive.”

“As the tribunal chairman, we love you, we respect you, but we are afraid of consequences, especially as just stated by this tribunal this morning. Our fears have been reinforced, but we pray against consequences that are against natural justice.”

Umar however assured the defence team that nobody would be prejudiced by the tribunal.

Under cross examination by Usoro, Wetkas told the tribunal that Saraki was never investigated by EFCC on the ownership of two properties in Abuja which he allegedly failed to declare in his Assets declaration form.

The witness said that their assumption that Saraki was the owner of the properties- Plot 2482 and Plot 2481 Maitaima Abuja was based on information obtained from the Managing Director of Carlisle Properties Ltd whose name he could not remember.

When the Certificate of Incorporation of Carlisle issued by CAC was shown to him and he was asked to read it out, the witness admitted that the two properties belonged to a registered company and that they were acquired in 1993, ten years before the defendant became the governor of Kwara state.

He also admitted that the name of the defendant was not mentioned in the acquisition documents executed by one Alhaji Attahiru Adamu and Carlisle Properties.

“My duty as an EFCC operative is to look for economic and financial crimes and not to investigate asset declaration matters,” said Wetkas.

Meanwhile, further cross examination of the witness have been adjourned till 15 June.