CCT Trial: Two Fresh Charges for Saraki, Pleads Not Guilty

CCT Trial: Two Fresh Charges for Saraki, Pleads Not Guilty

saraki1The charges against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have been amended by the federal government as the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Thursday, 27th April, added two more charges to the alleged offences of Bukola Saraki, the Senate president.

The new charges read:

“That you on or about, September 16, 2013 within the jurisdiction of this honorable tribunal did make a false declaration in the asset declaration form for public officers who you filled and submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon assumption of office as the governor of Kwara State in the year 2003 as governor of Kwara State by your failure to declare your leasehold interest in number 42, Remi Fani-kayode street Ikeja, Lagos which you acquired through your company, SkyviewProperties Limited from First Finance Trust Limited on December 12, 1996 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(1)(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C15, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1)(2),I fifth schedule to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the fifth schedule to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“That you between June 2011 and October 2013, within the jurisdiction of this honourable tribunal, did received monthly salaries or emoluments as governor of Kwara State and at the same time, from the federal government as a senator of the federal republic of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 6(a) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C15, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 2(a), Part I of the, fifth schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the fifth schedule to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

These two charges are in addition to the 13 count charge of false asset declaration which he is already standing trial for. Saraki has been charged to court since 22nd September 2015 over an initial 13 count charge.

Saraki pleaded not guilty after the amendment was accepted by the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, who overruled the defence led by Mr. Paul Usoro.