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Tag: Danladi Umar

  • AGF seeks clarification on corruption charge against Danladi

    AGF seeks clarification on corruption charge against Danladi

     

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has sought clarification from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo in relation to the charge they filed against the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar.

    Malami’s request for clarification is contained in two letters written on his behalf by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanet Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, who asked Magu and Keyamo to direct their responses to the AGF.

    Magu and Keyamo were, in the letters, dated February 16, 2018, with Reference Numbers:  DPP/ADV:368/15 (for Magu) and DPP/ADV:369/15 (for Keyamo) asked to make their responses available to the AGF on or before February 20, 2018.

    Kayamu had on behalf of the EFCC, filed a charge against Umar on February 2, this year before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Umar is accused, in the charged marked: CR/109/18, of demanding N10m as favour from a defendant standing trial before the CCT, Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, in 2012.

    The anti-corruption agency accused Umar of receiving, through his personal assistant, Alhaji Gambo Abdullahi, N1.8m out of the N10m demanded from Taiwo in the same year.

    The offences were said to be contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.

    The charge is currently before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court in Maitama and it is scheduled to come up on March 15 for the arraignment.

    The DPP’s letter to Magu is titled: “Titled “FR VS Danladi Umar (CR/109/18) request for Briefing.

    It reads: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “I am directed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to seek clarification from you as to whether the charges were filed on your instruction or directive and if in the affirmative, what is the compelling basis for doing so. This clarification becomes imperative in view of the following background facts.

    Read Also: AGF decries increase in detainees without trial

    “The Commission’s investigation report dated 5th March 2015 addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated as follows: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the defence.

    “The Commission’s position in paragraph 2(a) above was also maintained and sustained by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while appearing before the House of Representatives’ Investigative Committee sometimes in 2015 to the effect that report of investigations showed that the allegations against Hon. Justice Danladi Umar were based on mere suspicions.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation requests for your prompt briefing as to the existence of new facts which are contrary to the position in your attached investigation report, sufficient evidence or other developments upon which the prosecution of Hon. Justice Danladi can be successfully based.

    “Kindly accord this letter top priority whiles your prompt response within 48 hours from the receipt of same is required in the circumstances.”

    On his part, the letter to Keyamo reads: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that you have filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hereby requests that you kindly furnish this office with the details of the instruction or authorization upon which you instituted the case under reference.

    “Kindly accord this letter top priority whiles your prompt response on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018 is solicited in this regard.”

    When contacted yesterday, Keyamo acknowledged receiving a leter from the Federal Ministry of Justice on the CCT Chairman’s issue.

    Keyamo said he found nothing unusual about the letter. He said it was a private letter sent to him for enquiry and to which he has since responded. He declined to dwell on the content of the letter.

    Keyamo said: “I received a letter from the Ministry of Justice. It is not a query. It’s an enquiry and I have responded to it.

    “It was a private letter, and I don’t have to make the content of a private letter public. Yes, I relieved a letter and I have responded to it.”

  • CCT trial: Saraki closes case after calling a witness 

    CCT trial: Saraki closes case after calling a witness 

    The trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki resumed at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Tuesday with his invitation of a witness. He equally closed his case after the witness concluded his evidence.

    The witness, Dr. Ademola Adebo, an ex-commissioner with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), told the court that he was familiar with assets declaration process.

    He said at a time, he was engaged by CCB to simplify the CCB Assets Declaration Form and also created a portal so that public officers will not have to visit CCB to declare asset.

    He identified some asset declaration forms filled by Saraki at the commencement and conclusion of his tenure as Governor in Kwara State in 2007 and 2011 when he became a Senator.

    The witness, led in evidence by Paul Usoro (SAN) read from the forms where Saraki declared that he acquired Nos: 17A and 17B Macdonald, Ikoyi through sale of rice and sugar commodities.

    In another form, the witness read where Saraki also said he bought the same houses through bank loan from GTB.

    At the conclusion of his evidence-in-chief, the prosecution, led by Rotimi Jacbos (SAN), was about to commence cross-examining the witness when tribunal’s Chairman, Danladi Umar announced a brief suspension of proceedings.

    He said the trial will resume in 30 minutes.

    When proceedings resumed later, Adebo, under cross-examination said he was a lecturer in the Ondo State University before his appointment as a member of the CCB in 2010.

    He said he had lectured in two universities in the United States as Assistant Professor of Political Science before returning to Nigeria.

    When asked to confirm if he was still a member of the CCB, the witness said the issue, relating to the dissolution of the board to which he belonged, was a subject of litigation in court.

    When given copies of the asset declaration forms completed by Saraki and was asked to identify his signature or name, the witness said he did not sign any of Saraki’s forms.

    The witness said he could not recall any other ex-Governor that was charged before the tribunal beside the former Lagos State governor.

    When asked if the CCB was only interested in prosecuting cases involving the poor public officers, Adebo said the CCB was not expected to always prosecute public servants but to also protect them.

    He blamed the CCB’s inability to function effectively on the lack of structure, a development, he said informed why, there was effort, while he was a member, to restructure it for efficiency.

    When Jacobs indicated that he was through with the witness, Usoro’s attempted to ask the witness further questions, an attempt the CCT Chairman rejected, upon an objection by Jacobs on the grounds that the questions do not relate to issue that emanated during cross-examination.

    At that point, the CCT Chairman asked parties to agree on the next date. But, while Usoro, Jacobs and the tribunal’s Registrar were trying to agree on a date, Saraki, who sat in the dock, signalled to the leader of his legal team, Kanu Agabi (SAN), who promptly approached him.

    Saraki conferred briefly with Kanu, shortly after which the lawyer informed the tribunal that the defence has made up its mind to close its case.

    The announcement came as a surprise to all, because the defence had, at the commencement of proceedings, indicated its intention to call four witnesses. Agabi was, however, silent on why the defence changed its mind.

    The CCT Chairman later adjourned to February 27 for the adoption of parties’ final written address.

  • Saraki’s trial at CCT: Prosecution closes case after calling five witnesses

    Saraki’s trial at CCT: Prosecution closes case after calling five witnesses

    The prosecution, in Senate President, Bukola Saraki’s trial for false asset declaration before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), closed its case on Thursday after calling five witnesses.

    Lead prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) announced the closure of the prosecution’s case after its fifth witness, Bayo Dauda, a bank official concluded his testimony at yesterday’s proceedings.

    Led in evidence by Jacobs, Dauda told the tribunal that Saraki obtained loans from GTB three times between 2006 and 2010. He said Saraki got the first loan of N380m in October 2006, the second of N380m on January 30, 2007 and the third, of N375m on February 10, 2010.

    Jacobs, who said Dauda was subpoenaed, tendered a copy of subpoena served on him and Saraki’s bank opening package before the tribunal, which it admitted as evidence.

    The witness said he was Saraki’s account officer. He said Saraki, as Kwara State governor-elect, opened the account with the bank in April 2003.

    Dauda, who read from a bundle of bank documents earlier tendered by the prosecution as exhibits, said Saraki got the second loan of N380m for the purpose of buying property in London, the United Kingdom.

    He said Saraki used part of the loans to buy properties at 17A and B Mcdonald Street, Ikoyi and for purchase of property in London.

    “There were three loans offered to the defendant. The first one was N380m granted on October 11, 2006. The next one was N380m granted o January 30, 2007. The third one was N375m granted on February 10, 2010.

    “On October 16, 2006 there was a credit of N380m loan to the customer. It was utilised by issuance of various drafts to purchase properties. The drafts were in favour of the Implementation Committee of the Federal Government Landed Properties.

    “On February 5, 2007 there was a loan disbursement of N380m. Another draft of N180,675,000 was issued to Committee on Implementation Federal Government’s Landed Properties,” he said.

    Dauda, who read from a document marked Exhibit 48, which was a document showing the terms of repayment of the second loan of N380m, said, “the terms of repayment was five equal quarterly instalments of N76m plus interest accrued.

    “From the statement of account, the first quarter repayment was on May 2, 2007 and the amount was N81,309,589. As of July 29, 2007, he had paid (principal and interest) total sum of N81,309,589. N76m represented the quarterly principal repayment, while the remaining was the interest,” he said.

    The witness added that by June 29, 2007 the sum of N63,740,637.85 had accrued on Saraki’s account as “part of interest capitalised on the loan.”

    He said as of the time, there was still an outstanding part of the principal loan yet to be repaid by Saraki.

    When asked how Saraki repaid the loans, Daudu said, “The loans were repayment via cash lodgement, cheque deposits, transfers and different warrants from his shares were paid into the account.”

    When asked to produce Saraki’s transfer instructions and other documents relating to foreign transfers, the witness said: “We have not been able to find them. We checked everywhere, but we cannot find them. We even went to our archive in Akure, we could not find them.”

    While being cross-examined by Saraki’s lawyer, Dauda admitted that he originally understood the funds transferred abroad were for the purpose of purchasing property, but only realised from the documents shown to him in the witness box that the transfers were for “mortgage redemption”.

    He agreed that there was no legal limit to what a customer could deposit in his or her account, but that he only meant to say that some of the cash lodgements made by Sarak were above the threshold, which the bank was under obligation to report to relevant authority.

    The prosecution’s case aginst Saraki include breaches of asset declaration, to the effect that he, while being a public officer, operated bank accounts outside Nigeria, and failed to declare the foreign accounts to the Code of Conduct Bureau while being governor and a senator during the period.

    Saraki is also accused of failing to declare the sum loan which he allegedly obtained from GTB while still a state governor, and that he allegedly transferred the £1,516,194.53, which was then an equivalent of one of the loans, to his account with Fortis Bank, London, for the purchase of an “undisclosed property” in London.

    At the conclusion of Dauda’s testimony, Jacobs informed the tribunal that the prosecution was done with its case.

    Asked when the defence intends to open its case, a lawyer in the defence team, Paul Erokoro (SAN) said the defence will file a no-case submission. He said his team intends to first, file a formal application, requesting the tribunal’s record of proceedings before the filing of the no-case submission.

    CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, then directed the tribunal’s Registry to put the records of proceedings together within two weeks. He asked the defence to file its written address in support of the no-case submission within one week, while the prosecution is to respond within one week after being served.

    He adjourned to June 8 for the adoption of the no-case submission.

  • Witnesses’ absence stalls Saraki’s false asset declaration trial

    Witnesses’ absence stalls Saraki’s false asset declaration trial

    The absence of prosecution witnesses on Thursday in Abuja at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) again stalled the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    The senate president is standing trial over alleged false assets declaration while serving as governor of Kwara.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trial had suffered similar fate between April 18 and April 25.

    Both adjournments, however, were at the instance of the prosecution team.

    Saraki’s trial which began in September 2015 had suffered numerous setbacks, mostly at the instance of the prosecution.

    NAN recalls that the prosecution shortlisted eight witnesses who would testify against the senate president in the 13- count charge of alleged false assets declaration.

    Those to testify are Yahaya Bello, Michael Wetkas, Mustapha Musa, Nura Bako, Adamu Garba, Samuel Madojemu, Abdulrahaman Dauda and Nwachukwu Amazu.

    Some of the witnesses were said to be DSS operators who investigated the four forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau by Saraki.

    The prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had asked for short adjournment to enable him produce his witnesses.

    The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar adjourned the matter till May 4 for continuation.

  • BREAKING: Appeal court dismisses Saraki’s appeal against tribunal

    BREAKING: Appeal court dismisses Saraki’s appeal against tribunal

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has again affirmed the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) to try the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on charges bordering on assets declaration breaches before the CCT.

    In affirming the ruling of the CCT presided over by Justice Danladi Umar, which affirmed the tribunal’s jurisdiction, Justice Abdul Aboki held among others that contrary to Saraki’s contention, the Attorney-General of the Federation had the power to institute charges against him before the CCT.

    Delivering judgment on Thursday in the appeal filed by Saraki, the Justice Aboki-led panel of the appeal court affirmed the CCT’s jurisdiction after dismissing the appeal filed by the Senate President challenging his trial before the tribunal.

    All the four other members of the panel unanimously agreed with the lead judgment delivered by Justice Aboki‎ who resolved all the eight issues formulated for determination against Saraki.

     

     

  • ‘Saraki’s allegation of bias against CCT, a desperate move to frustrate trial’ – Prosecution

    ‘Saraki’s allegation of bias against CCT, a desperate move to frustrate trial’ – Prosecution

    …Tribunal to rule July 13

    The prosecution in the false asset declaration trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) said yesterday that a fresh application by Saraki, asking the tribunal Chairman to disqualify himself from the case on ground of alleged bias was a desperate move to frustrate his trial.

    Lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) cautioned the tribunal against granting application on the ground that it was intended by Saraki and his legal team to “obtain from the backdoor, what they failed  to achieved at the Supreme Court,” in reference to the February 5 judgment of the apex court which dismissed Saraki’s appeal against his trial.

    “They know that this tribunal has only two members, and if the Chairman recuse himself from this trial, the tribunal will stop sitting. What they failed to achieve through their appeal, they now want it through the back door,” Jacobs further said.

    Jacobs was reacting to the application by Saraki Saraki, alleging that a comment made by  the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar during the proceedings of June 7,  in which he expressed his displeasure  at the defence’ delay tactics and warned that the delay would not reduce the consequences that awaits the defendant at the end of trial.

    Arguing the application earlier, a member of Saraki’s legal team, Paul Erokoro (SAN) argued that the implicit meaning of the tribunal Chairman’s comment was that the delay will not reduce the severity of his client’s punishment, which he said implied that Umar had concluded in his mind that Saraki would be convicted at the end of the trial.

    Erokoro argued that by his statement, Umar has betrayed his inability guarantee fair hearing to Saraki in line with the provision of Section 36(1) of the Constitution.

    The lawyer said: “Our chairman will no longer be able to comply with section 36(1) of the Constitution in this trial and that is the point we are making. The fundamental point is that once it is no longer possible for the chairman of the tribunal to be fair to both sides, he has to recuse himself.

    “We are saying that once a judge, by word or action, can no longer hold the scale of justice, the judge should withdraw. The prosecution has not disputed the fact that the chairman made this statement. For the avoidance of doubt, the prosecution has implicitly admitted that the Chairman made that statement.”

    Erokoro, who referred to the reports of the June 7 proceedings in seven newspapers, quoting the Umar  as making the statement, also referred to affidavits of “four concerned Nigerians” who were at the June 7 proceedings, allegedly confirming  that the chairman made the statement and reaching conclusion that he (Umar) could never be fair to Saraki, were filed as exhibits.

    He identified the deponents to the affidavits as Abubakar Shehu Mahmud, Ogbonna Emanuel Azuke, Omokanye David Adetoyese and Nasir Suberu.

    Erokoro said: “The prosecution has said in their counter-affidavit that the chairman assured the defence on June 7 that he would keep his mind open and do justice. No counter-affidavit has said that the tribunal chairman said so. If indeed the chairman said so, it is another reason to be afraid. Why did the chairman have cause to re-assure the defence?

    “No reasonable person, who listened to the Chairman would not conclude that the chairman had made up his mind,” Erokoro siad.

    Responding, Jacobs faulted the application, arguing that the applicant failed to attach certified record of proceedings, which he is complaining against. He noted that it was only intended by the defence to further stall proceedings or at best ensure further delay.

    He noted that Saraki had in the past filed similar application, which the tribunal refused, and which now forms the subject of an appeal before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.

    Jacobs argued Saraki and his lawyers were interpreting the tribunal’s Chairman’s statement to suit their interest.

    “The chairman said the consequences of trial, which is either conviction or acquittal. Sections 309 and 310 of the Adminiatration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) are clear on what the consequences of trial are. The consequences of trial is the end/conclusion, which can go either way.

    “The Chairman did not use the words consequences of the ‘offence’ or ‘conviction,’ which would have implied that the Chairman had concluded that he will convict the defendant. The Chairman used the word ‘trial.’

    “Your lordship is eminently qualified to continue with this trial.  Their application is based on false premise and misunderstanding of that word. Every trial has its own consequence, which is conclusion.  This is an attempt to further delay trial. Their conclusion is mere conjecture,” Jacobs siad.

    Citing a Supreme Court decision, Jacobs  described the four affidavits of concern by the four persons attached to the defendant’s motion as extraneous and deposed to by “rash persons”.

    Jacobs argued that the affidavits were mere opinions of some individual,s who were seeking political patronage from the defendant, and were not the reasonable common man who had the full knowledge of the case as envisaged by law.

    “The affidavits deposed to by the four persons were deposed to by supporters of the defendant. A motion must be supported by an affidavit. Extraneous affidavits such as these are unknown to law. The deponents are obviously supporters of the defendant. They have their interest to serve, and they went to the counsel for the defendant telling him they want to depose to an affidavit of concern.

    “Those people are rash persons. Rash! Rash! Rash! The affidavits are opinion of those who do not have full knowledge of the case. They are people who will sit in the gallery seeking political patronage. They just hold on to one word and say the judge is bias.  They are not the reasonable common man,” Jacobs said.

    He argued that the statement made by the Chairman was justified based on the antecedence of the defence, who has spent 12 days cross-examining the first prosecution witness and was yet to conclude.

    Jacobs further argued that even if the tribunal chairman made the statement, it did not imply a threat of conviction, as the “consequence” mentioned in the comment implied the two possible outcomes of a trial.

    “What the tribunal Chairman said was an expression of his determination to see the trial to the end despite the delay tactics of the defence. He simply said the defendant will meet the consequence of the trial which could either be acquittal or conviction.

    “”What the tribunal said is I must conclude this trial; there must be an end to this trial. I must conclude this trial. His lordship did not express the opinion that I must convict you.  Your lordship will have to look at sections 309 and 310 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

    “This application is based on false premise. There is a clear intention to delay. The decision of the tribunal cannot be based on conjecture. It cannot be based on an unreasonable application of affidavits of concern that replaced trial in the statement of the chairman with offence,” Jacobs said and urged the tribunal to dismiss the application.

    Tribunal Chairman, Umar adjourned to July 13 for  ruling.

     

     

     

  • FG faults Saraki’s fresh application on CCT chairman

    FG faults Saraki’s fresh application on CCT chairman

    The Federal Government on Wednesday faulted the fresh application filed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, seeking the disqualification of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman, Danladi Umar, from the Senate president’s trial for false asset declaration.

    The government, in its counter-affidavit filed against Saraki’s application by the lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), said the statement credited to Umar during the June 7 proceedings and on which basis Saraki was asking the CCT chairman to withdrawal from the trial, was quoted out of context.

    Saraki had filed the application through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), on June 13, accusing Umar of making a remark showing his bias against him (Saraki) during the June 7 proceedings.

    The CCT chairman had warned the defence against employing delay tactics to frustrate proceedings at the tribunal.

    The government in its counter affidavit argued that should the CCT chairman disqualifies himself based on Saraki’s application, the tribunal would have taken over the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in deciding the appeal.

    It noted that Umar, on the said June 7 sitting, stated clearly that “his mind is open to do justice to this matter and that he has no prejudice against any of the parties.”

    It added: “The statement quoted in the affidavit in support, allegedly made by the chairman of the honourable tribunal was quoted out of context without referring to the statement made by the chairman to the effect that his mind was open to do justice to this matter and that he has no prejudice against any of the parties.

    “Since the charge was filed on September 17, 2015, the defendant has employed all forms of delay tactics to ensure that this matter is not expeditiously heard and to frustrate the prosecution of this case.”

     

  • Again, Saraki seeks CCT Chairman’s disqualification from trial

    Again, Saraki seeks CCT Chairman’s disqualification from trial

    For the umpteenth time, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has challenged the procedure of his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for alleged false assets declaration.

    This time, Saraki has filed a fresh application seeking among others, an order asking the Chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from further presiding over the trial.

    Saraki, in the fresh application filed by his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), accused Umar of making statements capable of prejudicing the outcome of the trial.

    The Senate President cited  the reported statement by Umar, where he deplored the delay tactics being employed by Saraki’s legal team and noted that the delay would not affect the consequences of the trial on the defendant if found guilty.

    The application, already served on the prosecution may not be heard on Wednesday because the prosecution) was yet to respond the application as at Tuesday.

    Since the trial commenced late last year, the Senate president has filed series of applications, challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal and the competence of the charge filed against him, among others.

    This is the second time he would be asking Umar to disqualify himself from the trial.

    The first one filed through one of his lawyers, Ajibola Oluyede, is currently a subject of appeal, having been rejected by the tribunal.

     

  • CCT frowns at delay by Saraki’s lawyers

    CCT frowns at delay by Saraki’s lawyers

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has frowned at what it described as the delay tactics being employed by lawyers to Senate President, Bukola Saraki in his on-going trial for false asset declaration.

    Saraki’s legal team consisting of about 100 lawyers, including about 10 Senior Advocates, has spent 11 days on the cross-examination the first defence witness, Michael Wetkas, and was yet to conclude.

    The tribunal has also expressed discomfort over what it called incidents of misrepresentation of proceedings in the media.

    Tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, who spoke at the resumption of proceedings Tuesday, said the tribunal was equally bothered by the concern expressed by the prosecution that the defence was deliberately delaying proceedings.

    At the commencement of proceedings, lead prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) complained that the defence was unduly delaying proceedings having spent 11 days cross-examining a single witness presented by the prosecution.

    Umar said: “I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel. And I must say this thing out, that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet from this tribunal at the end of the trial if he is found guilty.”

    Lead defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) however told the tribunal that the defence team was not comfortable the tribunal Chairman’s view on the allegation of delay made by Jacobs.

    “From the defence side, we are not worried about the law and facts that will be placed before this tribunal by the prosecution. But we are worried about enemies, who may wish to use this tribunal to achieve their ulterior motive.

    “As the tribunal Chairman, we love you, we respect you, but we are afraid of consequences, especially as just stated by this tribunal this morning. Our fears have been reinforced, but we pray against consequences that are against natural justice,” Agabi said.

    On the issue of misrepresentation, Umar was particularly angered by some media reports to the effect that the tribunal had adjourned Saraki’s trial indefinitely.

    “Journalists should be punished” for publishing falsehood, “it is a criminal offence. If I have my way I would bring back Decree 2 of the olden days to take care of the irresponsible journalists in this country”.

    “How can they dare to publish that we have adjourned the trial of this defendant (Saraki) indefinitely? It is the highest point of irresponsible journalism. But I thank God for them that we are in a democratic era and that is why they are doing what they are doing now.

    “They are embarking on sensational journalism to sell their newspapers at the expense of truth. That is not journalism, but a serious crime that can lead them to jail,” Umar said.

    Agabi, who agreed with Umar on the need for the media to be accurate in their report of proceedings, said he admires journalists a lot, because of their contributions to the enthronement of democracy in the country.

    He said what Nigeria needed now was peace and not Decree 2. He urged Nigerians should pray for peace rather than anything that can disturb the peace of the nation.

    Another member of Saraki’s legal team, Paul Usoro (SAN) later cross-examined Wetkas.

    Under cross-examination, Wetkas insisted that Saraki procured undeclared properties through bank loans of over N2.5billion.

    When asked if he found any economic and financial infractions in the activities of Skyview properties limited (a company linked to Saraki), Wetkas said: “The only thing we found out during investigation is that, both Plots 2481 and 2481 Cadastral Zone, Maitama, Abuja were residential properties, and that loans were taken by Skyview from Guranty Trust Bank to develop the properties.

    “The loan was in two tranches of N1.8billion and over N700million. When we interview the Managing Director of Skyview, he said the transactions were at the instance of the defendant, and that the property belongs to the defendant, that formed our basis of the ownership,” Wetkas said.

    When asked if he ever confronted Saraki with their findings, Wetkas said he never did.

    At this point, tribunal Chairman indicated his intention to adjourn proceedings on the ground that tribunal members had an engagement outside the tribunal premises.

    Agabi and Usoro however sought a long adjournment. Agabi said he had written the tribunal about an appointment he has with his physicians.

    Usoro also said he was engaging on a trip to Ghana.

    The tribunal later adjourned to June 15 for continuation of trial.

  • CCT not under influence to convict Saraki – Chairman

    CCT not under influence to convict Saraki – Chairman

    The Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal, Danladi Umar, on Tuesday, decried insinuations that he was being influenced to convict the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    Umar, who stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, promised to do justice in Saraki’s trial.

    “During Bola Tinubu’s case, we were under influence, but we did the right thing.

    “I swear by the Almighty Allah to do justice. On our part, the insinuation that we are being influenced to see the conviction of the accused is false.’’

    On the number of lawyers in Saraki’s defence team, Umar said, the records of the tribunal showed that “there are about 100 counsel standing for the defendant.’’

    He insisted that although the defence had right to have as many lawyers as they want but the tribunal had the power to regulate the conduct of counsel.

    He said there must be orderliness, adding that all the counsel may not be allowed to cross examine the witness.

    Umar stated that all the other lawyers can assist the leader of the defense team, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), rather than every other person in the defence team doing the job.

    He observed that there were many counsel cross examining a witness. This, he said, made the process untidy.

    “Henceforth, only the lead counsel, Agabi can do the cross examination. For purpose of the records of the court, it will be tidy for only the lead counsel to do the cross examination,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the CCT chairman as saying on the matter.

    Lawyer to EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had complained about the slow pace at which the defence team was handling the cross examination.