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. – The Nation.
