Saraki’s False Assets Declaration Trial Stalled Again

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 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.

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.