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Tag: CCT

  • I am vindicated by CCT acquittal – Saraki

    I am vindicated by CCT acquittal – Saraki

    … It’s a victory for democracy – Ekweremadu

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday said his discharge and acquittal by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has vindicated him.

    Saraki, whose trial for false assets declaration started in 2015, said in a statement he personally signed, that the outcome of the trial has renewed the citizens’ faith in the courts.

    The decision, he added, has also restored the hope that the judiciary in the country could indeed provide sanctuary for all those who seek justice.

    The statement said, “You would recall that at the beginning of the trial, I maintained that I will clear my name. The conclusion of this trial has vindicated my position.

    “With the outcome of this case, our faith is renewed in our courts and our hope is restored that the judiciary in our country could indeed provide sanctuary for all those who seek justice.

    “I thank the Almighty Allah, the ultimate Judge and the repository of all powers. He alone has brought about this victory. I am immensely grateful to all my colleagues in the National Assembly for their abiding support.

    “All through my trial, they demonstrated their strong conviction about the choice we all decided to make two years ago. I thank members of my family for their unflinching support.

    “I thank all friends and supporters back home in Kwara State and across the length and breadth of our country for their prayers and their sacrifices. My gratitude also goes to all members of my legal team for their tireless efforts to ensure the cause of justice is served.”

    The Senate president said his acquittal by the CCT calls for celebration of the hopes that despite the challenges facing the country, “we are well on our way to building a country where the innocent needs not be afraid.”

    He urged his supporters to refrain from any unbridled triumphalism, saying the challenges the country faces today are enormous and do not allow for wanton celebration.

    He added: “Instead, we should all reflect on the significance of this moment and what it meant for our democracy.

    “On a personal note, I harbour no grudge against anyone, regardless of the role they might have played in the persecution that I had endured in the last two years.

    “I believe that if my trial had in anyway given hope to the common man that no matter the forces arraigned against him, he can still get justice in our courts, then my tribulation had not been in vain.

    “Once again, I thank my colleagues in the 8th Senate for standing firm. Regardless of the distraction of my trial, we have achieved more as legislators than the previous Senates.

    “Now that this distraction is over, we can even achieve so much more. We must now proceed from here with greater vigour to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians and show that this 8th Senate can indeed play a central role in improving the quality of lives of our people.

    “Lastly, I thank all the gentlemen of the press for your abiding interest in this case, which I believe had contributed in no small measure in ensuring that truth and reason ultimately prevailed.”

    Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President,  Ike Ekweremadu, has described as “victory for democracy” Saraki’s discharge and acquittal by the CCT.

    Reacting to the tribunal’s verdict through a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Uche Anichukwu, the deputy Senate president said it did not come to him as a surprise given that, “like the trumped up forgery and conspiracy charges slammed against him and Saraki which was later withdrawn by the Federal Government, the CCT trial was hatched in the coven of evil politics and was, therefore, bound to fall like a pack of cards.”

    “This is another sweet victory for the 8th Senate in particular, separation of powers, rule of law, and the nation’s democracy. The trial, just like the arraignment of the presiding officers of the Senate on trumped up charges of forgery of Senate Standing Rules, was political vendetta and manipulations taken too far.

    “It was never built on any iota of truth, but on the quicksand of falsehood and was, therefore, condemned to sink under the weight of law and justice.”

     

     

  • Jubilation in Ilorin as CCT acquits Saraki

    Jubilation in Ilorin as CCT acquits Saraki

    Scores of Kwara All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts, supporters, loyalists and party members on Wednesday went on a wild jubilation in Ilorin over the discharge and acquittal of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    Amidst drumming, singing and dancing at the APC secretariat in the state capital, the jubilant crowd women wore multicoloured customised T-shirts to celebrate the moment.Addressing reporters the state

    Addressing reporters the state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Isola Balogun Fulani, expressed happiness, saying the ability that the allegations were politically motivated.

    “The entire APC members and all peace loving people of Kwara State are very happy. We knew that this is a politically motivated charge, but God has vindicated us, and it is a plus to democracy. This also allows us to have confidence in the judiciary of Nigeria.

    “We are very happy. We thank everybody and well-meaning Nigerians who had supported us from the first time this thing (trial) started up to the end of this case. We are very happy and that is why you see us
    rejoicing.

    “We are going to the Emir of Ilorin to rejoice with him and thank him for supporting our leader, the Senate President. From there, we will move to the Governor of Kwara State to thank him for his support from the onset up to the end of this time and to also pray for him that with him in the helm of affairs,
    Kwara State is progressing and we hope that Insha Allah with the end of this case, Kwara State will continue to progress.

    We are very happy and words cannot express our happiness,” he added. The APC chair said that the Senator Saraki’s victory would spur for more performance in office.

    “Even without settled mind, he has been performing credibly. We are sure that with his settled mind he will do more and perform credibly to the interest of all Nigerians at large,” he said.Also speaking, former APC women leader and

    Also speaking, former APC women leader and chairperson, Kwara state local government service commission, Alhaja Sarat Adebayo, said the judgement was a welcome development.

    “We appreciate President Buhari for doing justice to the whole issue. The judgement is a welcome development to Kwarans as a whole. We appreciate everyone that stood by us when the case lasted.

    ‘We appreciate particularly the NASS, the executive and judiciary arms as well as Nigerians for standing by us during our time of trial. We believe that justice has been done today. We salute everyone, we are confident that with the judgement tremendous achievements would be achieved in the remaining two years ahead,” she said.

    ‎The ABS Mandate Constituency office of Dr. Bukola Saraki also expressed gratitude to God and humanity for the outcome of the CCT judgement which discharged and acquitted the President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki of the 18 count charge against him as lacking in proof and evidence.

    ‎A statement issued by Hon. Kayode Omotose on behalf of the Director General ABS Abdulwahab Oladimeji paid glowing tribute to the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and members of the state executive council, the  Speaker Kwara House of Assembly Dr Ali Ahmad  and members of the legislature, the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu – Gambari and all traditional rulers, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Chairman of
    the Christian Association Nigeria and all clerics and clergymen, the State Chairman of APC Hon. Ishola Balogun Fulani and members of the party.

    While calling for continuous prayer in the task ahead, the ABS mandate office assured Kwarans that the
    President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki shall remain focused in the development of every nook and cranny of the state

  • CCT: Prosecution to call Saraki’s account officer as witness

    CCT: Prosecution to call Saraki’s account officer as witness

    …Tenders Senate President’s statement

     

    The prosecution in the trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki said Thursday that it planned to call the officer in charge of Saraki’s accounts with Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc as its next witness.

    Saraki is being tried before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false assets declaration.

    Lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs ‎(SAN) disclosed this at the resumption of proceedings yesterday after the prosecution tendered a statement said to be made by Saraki.

    The statement was said to have been made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2013.

    The statement dated August 12, 2013, was tendered by the prosecution through its fourth witness, Alvan Gurummaal, a detective of the EFCC.

    He was subpoenaed to produce the statement before the tribunal as he was said to be a party to the investigation of the case.

    The content of the statement was not disclosed during proceedings.

    Saraki has consistently claimed that he was not allowed to respond to the discrepancies notice in his assets declaration forms before the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) referred him to the CCT for prosecution.

    After the witness tendered the statement, which was admitted by the tribunal, Jacobs said he could not continue because his nest witness was not available.

    Jacobs said the next witness,  who is Saraki’s account officer at the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, informed him that he(the witness) would be absent from the day’s proceedings because he has a medical appointment to undergo surgery.

    He applied for an adjournment to a later date to enable him produce the 5th prosecution witness. He was silent of the proposed witness’ name.

    Tribunal’s Chairman, Danladi Umar, acceded to Jacobs’ request for adjournment in the absence of opposition from the defence team.

    He adjourn May 4 for continuation of trial.

  • Justice Ngwuta failed to declare plots of land, cars – FG

    Justice Ngwuta failed to declare plots of land, cars – FG

    The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has accused Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court of possessing 28 plots of land which he allegedly refused to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) between June 2, 2011 and July 19, 2016.

    The office alleged that Justice Ngwuta, within the same period engaged in the purchase and sale of rice, palm oil and other related products, while being a justice of the Supreme Court.

    He is also own five cars which he allegedly kept away from the CCB.

    These allegations are contained in a 10-count charge the office of the AGF filed against the Justice of the Supreme Court before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    Justice Ngwuta will be be arraigned on April 20.

    A similar charge of two counts has also been filed before the CCT against Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court.

    Justice Ademola was accused of trading in foreign exchange among other charges.

     

  • CCT to arraign Justice Ngwuta April 20

    CCT to arraign Justice Ngwuta April 20

    Justice Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court will be arraigned on April 20 before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Abuja.
    A statement by the spokesman of the CCT,  Ibraheem Al-Hassan said Justice Ngwuta will be arraigned on a 10-count charge of false assets declaration filed against him by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
    Justice Ngwuta is currently on trial for money laundering related offences before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
    AGF’s spokesman, Salihu Isah, while announcing the filing of the charge at the CCT on February 8, said similar charge was filed against Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court.

    Isah said the judges are accused of contravening the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCB/T) Act by allegedly failing to declare some of their assets.

    He said the AGF has written the CCT, requesting for a date for the judges’ arraignment on the new charges.

    Isah said the charges were filed on behalf of the AGF by Hajara Yusuf, an official in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

     

  • Saraki loses bid to stop CCB official’s recall

    Saraki loses bid to stop CCB official’s recall

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday lost in his bid to prevent the recall of an official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) who had earlier testified in his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false assets declaration.

    At the commencement of proceedings on Wednesday, lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), re-invited the CCB official, Samuel Madojemu, to clarify his earlier testimonies during cross-examination by Saraki’s lawyer.

    Before Madojemu could answer the first question from Jacobs, Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), objected to the witness being asked questions about the Senate president’s London property.

    Erokoro said Madojemu had earlier admitted that he knew nothing about the London mortgage and did not seek any explanation from the Fortis Bank in London.

    The CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, overruled Erokoro and allowed Jacobs to continue with his re-examination of the witness.

    Madojemu proceeded to answer Jacobs’ question and restated his evidence that Saraki failed to declare a London property he allegedly acquired through mortgage in 2010.

    Madojemu, the Head of Intelligence Unit at the CCB, had during cross-examination by Erokoro, identified a property at 70 Bourne Street, South-West London, valued at $4,800,000, which he said  Saraki declared that he acquired through proceeds from sales of rice and sugar in January 2002.

     

  • Saraki’s case different from Orubebe’s – CCB

    Saraki’s case different from Orubebe’s – CCB

    The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on Tuesday clarified its handling of a case involving former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, saying it is different from that of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki.

    A senior official of the CCB, Samuel Madojemu, told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), that while the Bureau invited Orubebe after discovering discrepancies in his assets declaration form, it did not find it necessary to invite Saraki because of the magnitude of the infraction noticed in the Senate president’s case.

    Madojemu spoke while being cross-examined by Saraki’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, at the resumption of proceedings in Saraki’s trial for false assets declaration on Tuesday.

    Asked by Agabi if it was not remarkable that Saraki was never invited to make written statement before charges were filed against him, Madojemu said it was immaterial.

    He said, “Your lordship, I have handled many cases. And among the many cases, there were instances that we invited the subjects and they refused to honour our invitation.

    “During the trial of Godsday Orubebe we said that he was invited severally and he refused to honour the invitations. We thereafter charged him and he was convicted.

    “I will refer you back to what I said earlier which was that it was beyond my competence to decide who to invite and who not to invite.”

    Madojemu also said t it was not mandatory for the CCB to invite a declarant before filing charges against him or her.

    He added: “When there is observed infraction of this magnitude, the Bureau reserves the right whether or not to invite the declarant.”

    When asked why Orubebe was invited and Saraki was not invited by the CCB, the witness said, “Your lordship, the decision to invite and not to invite is beyond my capacity and competence. It is a decision made by the management of the Bureau.”

    Madojemu explained that the CCB did not obtain statement from Saraki, saying, “the asset declaration of asset which is made on oath serves as the statement.”

     

  • FG files fresh charges against Justices Ngwuta, Ademola at CCT

    The Federal Government on Wednesday filed two fresh charges against Justices Sylvester Ngwuta (of the Supreme Court) and Adeniyi Ademola (of the Federal High Court) before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    According to Salihu Othman Isah, the Media Aide to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), the charge against Justice Ngwuta has 10 counts, while that against Justice Ademola has two counts.

    They are accused of contravening the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCB/T) Act for  failing to declare some of their assets.

    Both judges are already being tried on separate criminal offences before the Federal High Court (in the case of Justice Ngwuta) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (for Justice Ademola).

    Isah, in a statement issued late on Wednesday, said the AGF has written the CCT, requesting for a date for the judges’ arraignment on the new charges.

    He said the charges were filed on behalf of the AGF by Hajara Yusuf, an official in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

     

  • CCT to try 50 public officers in Akwa Ibom

    CCT to try 50 public officers in Akwa Ibom

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) would between Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 relocate to Akwa Ibom for the trial of 50 public officers in the state who allegedly breached the code of conduct ethics.

    Mr Danladi Umar, Chairman of the tribunal, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    According to him, the defendants comprise of ex-Special Advisers and Local Government Councillors that served between 2008 and 2009.

    According to him, two Clerks from Esit and Etim Local Governments will also be tried.

    “The tribunal’s itinerant session helps to clear up backlogs of cases in the zone within the period of the session.

    “It also makes legal services at the door step of the defaulters, particularly the low-ranking public officers and as well serves as a means of publicising the activities of the tribunal within the zone.

    “The essence is to further strengthen relationship between CCT and the hosting state, whose infrastructure and other logistics would be used for the session,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal is the enforcement and disciplinary arm of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    All public officers in the Federal, State and Local Government levels are compelled by the Act of the bureau to declare their assets within the period of engagement.

    NAN further reports that the tribunal recently convicted the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, for breaching CCB Act, while the trial of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the tribunal is ongoing

  • CCT convicts Orubebe for false asset declaration

    CCT convicts Orubebe for false asset declaration

    Former Niger Delta Minister Godsday Orubebe has been convicted by Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for violating the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act (CCBTA).

    The tribunal, in a judgment delivered by its Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, found Orubebe guilty of falsely declaring his assets in 2007.

    The tribunal said the prosecution successfully proved its case that the former minister  deliberately refused to declare his ownership of of Plot 2057 Asokoro District, Abuja.

    It faulted Orubebe’s defence that he had sold the plot of land to former landlord and Managing Director of Givention Properties Limited, Akinwumi Ajibola in 2011 at N10 million and deployed the proceed to paying his rent.

    The tribunal said that after  analysed all the testimonies given by Orubebe, it was difficult to understand why the property he claimed to have sold about six years ago still remained registered in his name at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Land Administration.

    Umar said in his ruling: “To the tribunal, this is very absurd and not credible. The tribunal observed that under the Lands Instrument Registration Law, the DW1 (Ajibola) was under obligation to register/document his right over Plot 2057.

    “The consequences of non-compliance with statutory requirement, where a statute clearly provides for a particular act to be performed, the failure to perform the act, on the part of the party, will not only be interpreted as a delinquent conduct, but will be interpreted as not complying with the statutory provision.

    “In such a situation, even where the statute did not specifically provide for a sanction, the court can, by the invocation of its imperative jurisdiction, come to the conclusion that the failure to comply with the statutory provision is against the party in default.

    “In the circumstances therefore, there is nothing to show that the accused had divested his right over Plot 2057 Asokoro to DW1 and his company, Divention Properties Ltd.

    “The deed of assignment and the power of Attorney executed by the accused to DW1 on the 13th of June 2011 and no steps taken since then to register the title with the Land Administration Department in the name of DW1, renders the documents as worthless as a tissue of paper under the Land Instrument Registration Law.

    “The tribunal is satisfied with the prosecution that, up till now, it is the name of the accused person that is in the FCT Land Registry as the owner of the property, not DW1/Divention Properties Ltd.

    “The tribunal hereby adjudge the accused guilty as charged, and on that premise, hands down the following punishment: In accordance with Section 23 of the CCB/T Act, as incorporated under the Fifth Schedule to the 1999  Constitution (as amended), the property known as Plot 2057, which belong to the defendant, is hereby seized and forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    Orubebe was  initially arraigned on on November 9, 2015 on a four-count charge, in which he was accused of failing to declare the Asokoro land and accepting bribe.

    After some delay, the prosecution, led by then Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Muhammad Diri, amended the charge, reducing the counts to one, excluding the aspect that relates to bribery.

    The single count  read: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, on or about June 29, 2011, while being a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal, did make a false declaration of assets to the Code of Conduct Bureau when you failed to declare Plot 2057, Asokoro District, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure) on June 29, 2011 and you hereby commit an offence contrary to section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap 15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 23(2) of the same Act.”

    Orubebe was re-arraigned on the amended charge (marked: CCT/ABJ/02/2015) on March 8, 20176.

    The prosecution opened trial on April 7 by calling its sole witness, Samuel Madojemu, an official of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and closed its case on April 24.

    Orubebe conducted his defence on June 2, by calling two witnesses including himself. The other defence witness was Ajibola, who described himself as a lawyer and Managing Director of Givention Properties Limited.