More revelations about how Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki allegedly used tax payers’ funds for his personal use have continued to trail his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Michael Wetkas, an investigative officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission who has been testifying against Saraki since the trial began also told the tribunal on Monday that Saraki used different bank drafts to buy properties in Ikoyi, Lagos. Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bordering on allegations of false asset declaration and money laundering.
He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charges. At the resumed hearing of the case, the EFCC witness, who was led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) said Saraki bought the properties through his companies. He said investigation revealed that House No. 15, Macdonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos and Block 15, Flat 1 to 4 of the same street belonged to Saraki. He said that the Senate President bought the properties from the Presidential Committee on Sale of Federal Government Landed Properties in Lagos through his companies.
He added the defendant made a bank draft in the name of TYNITY Company limited, which he declared in the Asset declaration form. According to him, the EFCC investigation team wrote to the presidential committee seeking clarification, the committee said that from their records, the only property sold to the company was No. 15, Macdonald Street, Ikoyi. Wetkas said 75 per cent, which amounted to N123.7million was paid for House No. 15, Macdonald Street, Ikoyi, through a bank draft from the account of one of Saraki’s company called Skyview properties limited in Access Bank.
He also said that investigation revealed that Saraki made a bank draft through his company TYNITY and paid for House No. 17, Macdonald Street in Ikoyi, Lagos in the sum of N256.3million. “My lord, there was a draft of N12.8 million and another draft of N20 million from Zenith Bank, as well as a draft of N4 million from GTBank as part of payment for the purchase of House No. 17, Macdonald Street.
“The N20 million draft came from Carlys properties and Investment Limited and a draft of 136.1 million was made on Jan. 13, 2007 for the purchase of same property. “Another draft of N180.6 million was made through Saraki`s personal bank account in GTB.
’’ The prosecution tendered a total of 43 exhibits, which were admitted in evidence. The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Umar Danladi, then turned down a request by Saraki’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), asking for daily records of proceedings of the court. In his argument, Danladi said the request would not be possible because it would over burden the registry of the court and that the law required defence to apply within a specific time and not daily. Agabi urged the tribunal not to further fix trial dates at a time when Senate was having plenary. The tribunal, however, overruled his submission, saying it was the defendant that was facing trial and not the Senate.
