By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki on a 13-count charge of false assets declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been delayed till noon.
Mr Danladi Umar, the Chairman of the Tribunal said the delay was at the request of Rotimi Jacobs, the lead prosecuting counsel, who through one of his lawyers told the court that he was engaged in another matter at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
The request was not opposed by the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi.
Justice Umar however warned the counsels that they should be prepared for a long day ahead as he is prepared to sit till 6 pm when the court resumes.
Rotimi Jacobs is expected to continue leading the first prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas in evidence when the court resumed sitting.
The witness, a staff of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had told the court how operatives of the anti graft agency working with officials of Code of Conduct Bureau and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission discovered that the Senate President is the owner of properties which he failed to declare in all the assets declaration forms he filled during his eight years as governor of Kwara State.
He also revealed how the Senate President’s aides were making multiple deposits into his naira and dollar accounts in GTB daily in their bid to evade the money laundering laws.
The monetary deposits, the witness said were payments for loans advanced to Saraki by the bank to acquire the properties.
The Defence counsel had also at the last adjourned date indicated that they may be ready to cross examine the witness today.
Saraki as usual is already in court and has indeed been docked before the request for short adjournment.
The Court room is also as usual filled with mostly Saraki’s aides, associates and Senators.
The Senate President and his supporters are waiting for proceedings to resume.