CCT: Saraki opens, closes defence same day My case a damage to corruption fight - Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday entered his defence at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in the case of false and anticipatory asset declaration levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The tribunal led by its Chairman, Danladi Umar on June 14, 2017 upheld Saraki’s no-case submission, holding that the evidence led by the prosecution was discredited under cross-examination and therefore unreliable.
However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja led by Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson ruled in an appeal against the tribunal’s ruling that Saraki should return to the CCT to face trial on three counts out of the 18 initially slammed on him.
Both Saraki and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had subsequently filed crossappeals against the decision of the appellate court at the Supreme Court, which is yet to be decided.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Saraki opened his defence at the tribunal by calling a lone witness, Dr Ademola Adebo, who told the court while being led in evidence by Saraki’s counsel that he is a member and commissioner with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
During cross-examination led by EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the witness confirmed that he was last in office as member of CCB in June, 2017 because of a court restraining order which has kept him out.
Asked if he would be surprised that Saraki’s case filed in September, 2015 was the first case entertained by the tribunal in 2015, the witness said he was aware and added that he was also aware that the tribunal cannot try any case unless referred to it by the CCB.
Upon the conclusion of the cross-examination, Saraki’s legal team informed the tribunal that it intended to close its case and proceed to final written addresses. The tribunal subsequently adjourned the matter to February 28 for the adoption of final written addresses. Saraki yesterday said the manipulations and twisting of his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) was damage to the corruption fight of the present administration.
Saraki on his Facebook wall said “As much as many Nigerians want to continue to believe that this my case is merely about asset declaration irregularities, the manoeuvres, manipulation, intrigues, schemes, and House of Cards nature of this whole case proves otherwise.
“I really wonder whether those who genuinely love this government appreciate the damage that all this is doing to our so-called ‘War Against Corruption” he said.