Bukola Saraki

An Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) witness, Mr Michael WesKat, on Wednesday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal that Bukola Saraki authorised the transfer of $3.4 million  to his USA bank account.

The Senate President Saraki was arraigned by the EFCC on a 13-count charge bordering on allegations of false asset declaration and money laundering.

He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing of the case, Weskat, led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the defendant directed GTBank to transfer the funds to America Express Services, Europe Limited.

He said the money was later forwarded to Saraki’s bank account at America Express Bank in New York with registration number 730580 on Aug.25, 2008.

The witness said on Nov. 5, 2005, that 20,000 dollars was lodged into Saraki’s GTB account at GRA Ilorin branch by one Bayo Dare and Abdul Adama.

The defence lawyer, Paul Usoro (SAN), did not object to the admissibility of the bank documents, but he reserves his arguments till later date