Senator Bukola Saraki: new counts, new troubles

Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki on charges of false declaration of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal continued on Thursday afternoon after the distraction of a failed motion to derail trial.

At the resumption of the trial, the Senate President maintained his not guilty plea to the 13 counts earlier slammed on him in September 2015 and the  three new counts filed against him by Federal Government last week.

Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecuting counsel had before the Tribunal went on afternoon break asked for the admission of the amended charge.

But he was opposed by Paul Usoro, the lead defence counsel who argued that the prosecution has not fulfilled all statutory conditions necessary to admit the new counts against Saraki.

In a short ruling, Mr. Danladi Umar, the Chairman of CTC ruled that admission of amendment or filing of charges from the prosecution by the Court is automatic.

With the amended charge, Saraki is now being prosecuted facing three fresh counts in addition to the 13 originally preferred against him.

The Federal Government had in the initial 13 counts accused the Senate President of false asset declaration while serving as Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

The three new counts believed to be a fallout of revelations by Micheal Wetkas, the first prosecution witness during his evidence in chief include allegation that Saraki continued to receive salaries and emoluments as governor of Kwara State after the expiration of his tenure and at the same time, received salary from the Federal Government, as a Senator between June 2011 and October 2013.

Federal Government said the offence is 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 Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

The offence is punishable under Section 23(2) of the code of conduct bureau and tribunal act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.

In another of the charge, the Federal Government said Saraki failed to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau on assumption of office as Governor of Kwara State in 2003, his leasehold interest in the property at 42 Remi Fani-Kayode Street, Ikeja, Lagos.

The prosecution said the Senate President acquired the property in December 12,1996, through his company, Sky View Properties Limited which the firm purchased from First Finance Trust Limited.

The new third count was that he maintained an offshore account and an American credit card,  contrary to his oath of office.