PH
After prolonged legal theatrics, the Federal Government on Tuesday opened its case before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki over false declaration of assets.
Earlier attempt by Saraki to stall proceedings by way of an application by his lead counsel, Paul Usoro seeking an adjournment was rejected by the Tribunal.
Saraki, who is facing a 13-count false assets declaration charge, was arraigned before the Tribunal in 2015.
At the commencement of proceedings the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs called his first witness, Michael Wetkas.
Wetkas gave details of how Saraki allegedly siphoned Kwara State’s funds, while he was the governor between 2003 and 2011.
He gave details of how hundreds of millions of naira were paid into Saraki’s account in 50 transactions in a single day.
Wetkas, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who said he was part of the team that investigated the various petitions against Saraki, said among others, that Saraki was aided by Guaranty Trust Bank officials in the alleged funds diversion.
He said one of Saraki’s aides, Abdul Adama, made cash lodgements 50 times on the same account to the tune of between N600 000 to N900 000 in one day.
He added that another domestic worker, simply identified as Ubi, made 20 cash lodgements into the same account the same day.
The trial continues on Wednesday.
