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Tag: Senate President Bukola Saraki

  • CCT adjourns Saraki trial till June 1 for cross examination

    CCT adjourns Saraki trial till June 1 for cross examination

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Wednesday adjourned the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki, till June 1, to enable defence continue cross examination of the first prosecution witness.

    Saraki is standing trial at the CCT on a 16-count charge of allegations bordering on false asset declaration and money laundry prepared against him by the Federal Government.

    He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Earlier, the prosecution witness, Mr Micheal Wetkas, told the tribunal that Saraki’s name did not appear on the title document of any of the properties in Maitama District, Abuja.

    Wetkas, who was cross examined by the defence counsel Paul Usoro (SAN), said the properties located at Plot 2481 Cadastral Zone and 2482 Cadastral Zone were allegedly owned by Saraki.

    He said the Commission believed that the property belong to the defendant because when his wife Toyin Saraki was invited to the commission for questioning she confirmed to EFCC that the company, Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited which bought the property belonged to her husband.

    He also told the tribunal that the Power of Attorney of the properties was made in 1992, 10 years before Saraki became governor of Kwara.

    He said the Power of Attorney was issued in the name of one David Baba Akawo and Allied Properties Ltd.

    He, however, admitted that Saraki name did not appear on any of the documents relating to the transactions on the property.

    “Even though the document came in the name of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited, we believed that the properties belong to the defendant because the company belongs to him.”

    NAN reports that there was a mild drama when the lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN), asked the court for an adjournment.

    The request was opposed by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), insisting that the defence had spent 10 days cross examining one witness.

    However, a member of the tribunal Mr Emmanuel Atedze, urged Jacobs to be considerate and fair to the bench.

    He reminded Jacobs that the court had to wait additional one hour for him and his witness before they arrived.

    Rotimi, however, explained that his witness had been in the box for 11 days, saying it was the longest cross examination he had ever witnessed.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, adjourned hearing in the case till June 1 for continuation of cross examination.

  • Saraki lied in his 2003 asset declaration – witness

    Saraki lied in his 2003 asset declaration – witness

    The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki for false asset declaration continued Wednesday with the prosecution witness insisting that the defendant lied in the asset declaration form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) in 2003.

    The witness, Michael Wetkas, who had been subjected to over seven days of intense drilling in cross-examination by the defence team, insisted Wednesday that Saraki made anticipatory asset declaration in 2003 in respect of some landed property he acquired in 2006 in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Wetkas, a detective with the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) had been differently subjected to cross examination by many senior lawyers recruited by Saraki, inluding former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN), Paul Usoro (SAN) an Paul Erokoro (SAN), but he has been consistent that investigation revealed that Saraki made false asset declaration.

    Wednesday, while again, being cross-examined by Usoro, Wetkas said his investigation team relied on information provided by the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Allienation of Federal Government Properties which sold off the property in question on behalf of the Federal Government in 2006.

    Wetkas said the presidential committee informed his team that it did not have on its record, 15 A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as declared by Saraki in his 2003 asset declaration form.

    He said contrary to Saraki’s claim, the committee identified the property it sold as No.15, and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Wetkas noted that, Saraki, on assuming office as Kwara State governor in 2003, declared that he acquired  15A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos in 2000, whereas, the presidential committee wrote to his investigative team that it sold 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos to Saraki through his company, Tiny Tee Limited, in 2006.

    “The only authority that we could refer to was the presidential committee or the Lagos State Land Registry or the Presidential Implementation Committee. The other letters referred to by them (Saraki’s lawyers) were by private individuals.

    “We relied on the document from the Presidential Implementation Committee which said they only had 15, Mcdonald Road and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was occupied by another lessee.

    “We relied on the numbering of the properties by the presidential implementation committee and they stated that 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi was sold to Tiny-Tee.  That was the strength of our conclusion,” the witness said.

    Wetkas said he did not physically inspect the property at 15, 15A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, but ylthat other members of his investigative team did, and that they are in a better position to tell th tribunal what they found.

    On why he did not personally visit Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, Wetkas said he needed not to because the letter from the Presidential Implementation Committee to his team had clarified issues on the existence o otherwise o th property.

    “There was no need for me to ask the implementation committee to take me to the properties. The letter clarified that there were only two properties as 15 and Block 15, Flats 1 to 4,” the witness said.

    Wetkas confirmed that the asset at 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, was at various times offered to a company, Energy Marine Resources and occupant of the house, Mr. Virtus Nwosu.

    The witness also confirmed that it was eventually sold to Saraki’s company.

    Usoro confronted Wetkas with documents on the property which were obtained from the presidential committee and tendered as exhibits, to fault the prosecution’s case.

    The lawyer said the property described as 15 A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, in Saraki’s asset declaration form of assumption of office in 2003, was not the same as the one described as 15, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, by the presidential committee.

    Usoro noted that the property as described by the presidential committee was also not the same described by Saraki in his asset declaration form of July 11, 2007, made after the Senate President ended his first term in office as governor.

    Saraki’s asset declaration form which he submitted on assumption of office in 2003 (Exhibit 3), did not give a picture of the property he claime to have on  15A and B, Mcdonald Road, Ikoyi, but the form he submitted on July 11, 2007 after he completed his first term as governor described 15A as a five-bedroom house and 15B as an undeveloped plot.

    A different document, identified by Usoro as Exhibit 14 – a report of the EFCC on Saraki’s assets in 2006 – provided a different description of the property.

    On the request by Usoro, Wetkas read from th document, to the effect that the property identified as 15A and B Mcdonald, Ikoyi were verified. “While the property at 15A is a big one, painted and fenced, the other one at 15 is unpainted and lacks character, although it is also fenced. The properties are residential and belong to the declarant (Saraki).”

    In yet a differnt document, which Usoro again, asked Wetkas to read, 15 Mcdonald, was described as a four-bedroom house.

    Wetkas confirmed that none of those descriptions fitted in with the description of 15 A and B Mcdnald in Exhibit 3, which was the end of tenure asset declaration form made by Saraki in 2007

    He insisted “they are not the same but that is immaterial to me. My understanding is that when you buy a property you can expand it.”

    Usoro disagreed, insisting that 15B described as an undeveloped plot in Exhibit 3 could never have been such property that was later expanded after it was purchased.

    Further hearing has been fixed for May 17.

     

  • ‘Saraki made anticipatory asset declaration’- witness

    ‘Saraki made anticipatory asset declaration’- witness

    A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas, on Tuesday admitted that Senate President Bukola Saraki, made anticipatory asset declaration.

    Saraki is standing on a 16-count charge bordering on alleged false asset declaration and money laundering, which he pleaded not guilty.

    Wetkas made the admission under cross examination by Saraki’s Counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN) at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    “Based on the strength of the documents we have tendered, I agree that the defendant made an anticipatory asset declaration until proven otherwise,” he said.

    He further testified that during investigation “we discovered N1.5 million in the defendant’s wife account in Ecobank.

    The witness said that N1.1million was discovered in same bank account with the name of Seni Saraki and Toyin Saraki.

    Wetkas said that Saraki declared that he had cars worth N263.4 million before he became governor of Kwara.

    The analysis of the defendant’s cars revealed the “Saraki has Mercedes Benz S320 valued N16million, Mercedes Benz S500 valued N20 million and Mercedes Benz G500 valued six million naira.

    Others were Mercedes Benz V220 valued two million naira, Ferari 456GT valued N25million and Lincoln Navigator Jeep valued N15 million.

    Also in the list were Mercedes Benz ML280 valued N8.5million, Peugeot 406 valued N2.9million, Mercedes Benz CLK320 valued nine million naira and Mercedes Benz E320 valued N11million.

    The others were Mercedes Benz G500 valued N45million, Mercedes Benz S500 valued N30 million, Lexus Jeep valued N30 million and Lincoln Navigator worth N25million.

    He also read in the exhibit that Saraki had assets worth over four billion naira both in properties and the cars.

    He, however, said that property No. 15, Macdonald Street Ikoyi, Lagos, was sold to Saraki’s company Skyview Properties Limited which was not captured in his Asset Declaration Form.

    He further testified that Saraki bought property No. 15A and 15B Macdonald Street Ikoyi, Lagos, in 2000 through his company Tiny Tee Limited.

    He said that the purchase violate the rules of the implementation committee on the sale of Federal Government property which suggested one person per one property.

    He said the committee when contacted informed the EFCC that only property No. 15, Macdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, was sold to Skyview limited.

    The tribunal Chairman, Justice Danladi Umar, adjourned further proceeding till May 11.

  • May Day: Saraki seeks renewed dedication of workers

    May Day: Saraki seeks renewed dedication of workers

    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Sunday urged Nigerian workers to be more committed in their service to the nation, especially at this time of economic strain.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President of the Senate.

    According to the statement, Saraki says that the growth and development of Nigeria depends on how much support workers give to government’s policies, programmes and projects.

    He commended Nigerian workers and the organised labour movement in the country for their contributions to the nation’s economic growth and overall development.

    He said from the pre-independence era till now, the labour movement had provided the backbone for the survival of the country.

    He reiterated his promise that the Senate would continue to partner with the leadership of the organized labour in the country to address issues of national importance.

    “No doubt we are not in the best of times as a nation but with cooperation, dedication and perseverance we can turn our economy around for good.

    “The contribution of every Nigerian worker is key to the realisation of this dream.

    “This is why I urge you to remain steadfast and faithful to the efforts being made by the present administration to revive the economy and put Nigeria on the path of growth,” he said.

    He also prayed that the economic recovery programmes of President Buhari would soon bring prosperity to all workers and the entire citizenry.

  • Tribunal stands-down Saraki’s trial

    Tribunal stands-down Saraki’s trial

    The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Monday stood-down the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki till afternoon owing to the absence of the prosecution lawyer, Mr Rotimi Jacob (SAN).

    The chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Umar Danladi, said the decision was to allow Jacob, the lead counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attend to the case.

    The tribunal order was sequel to an announcement by a junior counsel in the EFCC legal team, Mr Gaabriel Ezegine that his principal was attending to another case at the Court of Appeal.

    Danladi questioned the absence of the EFCC lead counsel, saying that the prosecution should be aware of the provisions of the law on speedy dispensation of criminal trial.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Saraki is standing trial on a 13-count-charge bordering on false asset declaration and money laundering.

     

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

  • Saraki donates N5m to victims of Kano market inferno

    Saraki donates N5m to victims of Kano market inferno

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has donated N5 million to victims of the recent fire incident at Sabon Gari market in Kano State.

    The Chairman, Senate committee on Works, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, announced the donation when he paid a sympathy visit to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje in Kano on Wednesday.

    Gaya, who represents Kano South Senatorial District, said that the magnitude of the inferno would impact negatively on economic lives of the victims.

    “The Senate president was so much worried and concerned about the unfortunate incident; this is the reason why he asked me to represent him to bring the donation.

    ”We, the three senators from the state, will also sponsor a motion on the floor of the house for the urgent assistance of the Federal Government to victims of the disaster,” he said.

    Gaya, who commiserated with the affected traders, prayed God to prevent future occurrence and replenish what they lost in the inferno.

    He also commended Ganduje for setting up committees to facilitate return of business activities in the market as well as for the steps so far taken by the government to provide immediate assistance to the victims.

    Ganduje commended the senate president for the gesture and assured him that the money would be used judiciously for the purpose it was donated.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Gaya had earlier inspected Tamburawa bridge, being threatened by erosion, and promised to ensure its immediate rehabilitation by the Federal Government.

     

  • Court reserves judgment in suit seeking Saraki, Ekweremadu’s sack

    Court reserves judgment in suit seeking Saraki, Ekweremadu’s sack

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday reserved judgment in a suit filed by five serving Senators, who are seeking to void the election of Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

    The judge, after listening to lawyers to parties in the case adopt their final written addresses, announced that they would be contacted when the judgment is ready.

    The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/651/2015 has Senators Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Ajayi  Boroffice, Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuyi as plaintiffs, with Saraki, Ekweremadu, the National Assembly, the Clerks of the National Assembly and the Clerk of the Senate as defendants.

    It is the palintiff’s contention that the election of Saraki and Ekweremadu as President and Deputy President was invalid on the ground that the Senate Standing Orders 2015 used for the election was a forged document. 

    The plaintiffs argued that since the Senate Standing Order 2011, which was the valid Senate Rules as at the proclamation of the 8th Senate on June 9, was not known to have been validly altered before the election, the 2015 Rules could not be said to be a legitimate document.

    They stated, in a supporting affidavit,  that the Senate Standing ‎Orders 2015 was “contrived” from the amendment of the 2011 version of the Orders without following its (the 2011 edition’s) relevant provisions and those of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The plaintiffs argued that the said amendment was in breach of the “prescriptive procedures” stipulated by the extant provisions of section 60 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Rule 110(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended).

    They therefore prayed the court for the following reliefs:

    • A declaration that the Senate Standing Order 2011(as amended) is the proper, valid, constitutional and subsisting Rules/Standing Orders of the 8th Senate.
    • A  declaration that the Senate Standing Order 2015(as amended), not being a product of any legitimate amendment pursuant to the extant provisions of Rule 110 of the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended), is invalid, illegal, unconstitutional.
    • A declaration that the election of the 1st and 2nd defendants as the President and Deputy  President of the Senate of the 8th Senate pursuant to the Senate Standing Orders 2015 and contrary to the provisions of Rules 3(3)(e) and (k), Chapter II of the Senate Standing Orders 2011, is illegal and unconstitutional
    • An order setting aside the purported election of the 1st and 2nd defendants as Senate President and Deputy Senate President of the 8th Senate; an order setting aside the Senate Standing Orders 2015 and an order directing the 8th Senate to elect its presiding officers in accordance with the provisions of Section 54 of the Constitution and Rules 3(3)(e) and (k)of the Senate Standing Orders 2011.

    Justice Ademola, on Tuesday took arguments from parties on the substantive suit and defendants’ preliminary objection.

    Plaintiffs’ lawyer, Mamman Osuman (SAN) urged the court to disregard the defendants’ objection and grant his client’s prayers.

    The defendants, represented by Kehinde Eleja (SAN), Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) and Miss Nancy Odimegwu, faulted the competence of the suit and urged the court to dismiss the suit.

  • Screening of ministerial nominees begins on Oct 13

    Screening of ministerial nominees begins on Oct 13

    Screening of the ministerial nominees is to commence on Tuesday, October 13.

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki announced the screening date after announcing the names of the nominees contained in the letter from President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the curriculum vitae of the nominees will be circulated to the Senators ahead of the screening.

    The nominees are :

    Babatunde Fashola

    Rotimi Amaechi

    Dr Kayode Fayemi

    Senator Chris Ngige

    Dr Ogbonaya Onu

    Malami Abubakar (SAN)

    Aisha Jumai Alhassan

    Mrs Amina Mohammed Ibrahim

    Mrs Kemi Adeosun

    Emmanuel Kachikwu

    Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazzau (rtd)

    Senator Hadi Sirika

    Dr Osagie Ehanire

    Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma

    Ahmed Isa Ibeto

    Engineer Sulaiman Adamu

    Ibrahim Usman Jibril

    Adebayo Shittu

    Chief Audu Ogbeh

    Alhaji Lai Mohammed

    Solomon Dalong

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”Ministers” count=”6″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

     

  • 50 insurgents killed as troops repel insurgents attack on Borno community

    50 insurgents killed as troops repel insurgents attack on Borno community

    NO fewer than 50 insurgents were killed over the weekend as out-of-control Boko Haram militants clashed with troops.

    The troops overpowered the rampaging insurgents and repelled them from raiding Bita, a village in Borno State.

    As the troops counted their gains, reports came that Senate President Bukola Saraki and some senators plan to visit some of the battle fronts in Borno State today.

    A military clearance was being finalised for the trip as at the time of filing this report.

    A top military source, who gave confidential information said: “We are closing in on the insurgents; we are carrying the battle to them this time around.

    “Though we have not included casualty figure in our release but our records have shown that 50 insurgents fell during encounters with troops.”

    A combined effort by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and ground troops repelled the latest Boko Haram on Bita, as the sect continued its onslaught on communities in Borno State.

    The NAF said its fighter jets successfully scuttled a planned raid by the sect on the community.

    NAF Headquarters’ spokesman Air Commodore Dele Alonge made the confirmation in a statement issued yesterday.

    He said a large number of insurgents were killed in the operation, carried out by  troops in the area.

    Air Commodore Alonge said the NAF will continue to provide aerial support to the ground force in all operations carried out by troops in the troubled Northeast.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Air Force using its Alpha-Jet, provided combat air support to the ground force to attack the insurgents where they were observed to be mopping up to carry out a deadly attack on the village.

    “Consequently, a large number of the insurgents were killed and several others, injured.”

    Air Commodore Alonge also said the NAF Alpha-Jet conducted an armed reconnaissance along Bita to Gwoza road, and through Yamtege, Hamdaga, Dure and Pulka.

    According to him, NAF will continue to give all necessary support to the ground force, through its intensified and persistent efforts in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

    He said the momentum will be sustained in the ongoing operations against the terrorists until all portions of Nigeria’s territory have been reclaimed, safe and free from the insurgents.

    The new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadeeq Abubakar, has pledged to improve NAF’s fire power in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.

    Meanwhile, logistic arrangements were being made last night for today’s visit of the Dr. Saraki and some of his colleagues in the Senate to the battle fronts.

    It was, however, learnt that the trip will be “strictly guided by security operatives.”

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The military clearance and the scope of the trip are being worked out.

    “The Senate delegation wants to have first-hand information of the situation at the battle fronts. The delegation will identify with troops and those who are internally displaced.”