Saraki: I Was Richer Than Kwara State Before Becoming Governor

Daily Sun - Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that he had no reason to steal or embezzle public money as he was already richer than Kwara State before he became governor in 2003.

He put his worth as at September 2003 at over N4 billion, $22 million, £12 million and 2.6 Euros in cash, movable and landed assets.

Paul Erokoro, one of his counsel made the revelation while cross-examining Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

However, Erokoro’s statement elicited the rebuke of Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the Federal Government who said that being rich does not stop a thief from stealing.

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

To demonstrate his affluence, Saraki through his counsel referred the tribunal to his assets declaration forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau and dated September 16, 2003.

The document read out in the tribunal by the prosecution witness, Wetkas revealed that the Senate president had 13 exotic cars valued at N263.400 million before he became governor of Kwara State.

They include Mercedes G.500 bullet proof valued at N45 million; Mercedes S500 worth N30 million; Lexus Jeep bullet proof valued at N30 million; Mercedes S320 valued at N16 million; Mercedes S500 valued at N20 million; Mercedes G500 worth N6 million; Mercedes V.220 costing N2 million; Rally 456GT (N25 million) and Navigator worth N15 million.

Others are Mercedes MM240 valued at N8.5 million; Peugeot 406 at N2.9 million; Mercedes CLK320 valued at N9 million and Mercedes E320 valued at N11 million.

In the area of landed property, the document showed that Saraki is worth N2 billion.

Meanwhile, the Senate President alleged that his assets declaration form submitted in 2003 has been doctored.

He submitted that the refusal of the EFCC operatives and the Code of Conduct of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to invite and relate with him on the form was because of the fear that he would challenge an insertions made on the form.

But the EFCC witness, who was being cross-examined by Saraki’s counsel denied the allegation, saying the form was filled and signed by Saraki before a competent Judge.

When the witness was asked if he was aware that the assets declaration form submitted by the Defendant in 2003 was tampered with since it contained some entries of properties that were not put on sale by the Federal Government until 2006, Mr. Wetkas said: “As far as I concerned, exhibit one was signed by the defendant himself on September 16, 2003.”

He insisted that Saraki made anticipatory asset declaration. “Based on the strength of the documents we have tendered, I agree that the defendant made an anticipatory asset declaration until proven otherwise.’’ 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, a purchase he said violated the rules of the implementation committee on the sale of Federal Government property which suggested one person per one property.

When asked why he did not confront the Senate President with it, he said he did not have any interaction with Saraki but the document was one he could believe because it was signed before a competent Judge.

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

...On This 'One', CCT Chairman, Umar Rules In Favour of Saraki For The First Time Today At The Tribunal

TheCable - Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday, gave a ruling in favour of Senate President Bukola Saraki for the first time.

As the case was called, Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB); the prosecution, complained that the cross-examination of Michael Wetkas, a principal witness, had taken much time because the defence team kept changing the lawyers examining the witness.

“The counsel that started cross-examination should finish it. The witness cannot be cross-examined by three lawyers. My learned brother should conclude cross-examining the witness,” he argued while requesting the tribunal to make the order.

“You can have several lawyers, but only one of them will address the court. That’s why we have lead counsel. The lead counsel who has started the cross-examination is bound to conclude the case.

“It is not an opportunity for six lawyers to cross-examine one witness. Why I am raising this, is that we have already spent days on cross-examination. My lord should regulate the proceedings.”

When the trial started, Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki’s lead counsel, had the cross-examination of the witness, after which Paul Usoro (SAN) took over.

But on Tuesday, Paul Erokoro (SAN), one Saraki’s lawyer, rose to cross-examine the witness to which Jacobs objected.

“There is no law which supports my learned friend’s request. Different counsel can cross-examine a witness. If one counsel is tired another one can take over,” Erokoro argued.

“The prosecution has also requested that will close our cross-examination today. That is absurd. We are going to take our time and do things properly. We will not be stampeded.

“We are ready to start cross-examination.”

In his ruling, Umar held that Saraki had the right to engage as many lawyers as he wanted, and to choose which one of them would speak for him in court.

“The defence has the right to conduct their defence the way it suits them. What we are here to do is to give fair hearing. Paul Erokoro can now conduct the cross-examination,” he held.

This is the first ruling the tribunal would give in favour of Saraki.

More Trouble For Saraki, Ekweremadu As FG Files Criminal Charge Over Senate Standing Order Forgery

The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Elweremadu may have landed in another corruption case as the Federal Government has directed the prosecution of the Senate forgery scandal, which the Senate President and the deputy were the huge beneficiaries, report according to Punch Newspaper suggests

According to our source, Mr. Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has directed the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation and the police  to prefer charges against suspects, who allegedly forged the Senate Standing Orders used for the proclamation of the current 8th Senate, within two weeks

The 2015 Senate Standing Orders, which Saraki and Ekweremadu benefited from, was allegedly the forged version of the 2011 order.

Top sources in the Federal Ministry of Justice and the police headquarters confirmed that Malami had given the police and the DPP of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Diri, two weeks to file charges against the suspected forgers.

It was learnt that Malami called for the file on the case last week and found out that the ministry had since July 29, 2015, some months before his appointment, recommended the prosecution of the yet-to-be-identified suspects.

The minister was also said to have discovered in the file that the ministry had requested the police to further investigate the case in order to unravel the suspects and the roles played by them in the case.

The sources confirmed that the suspects would be charged with criminal conspiracy, forgery, breach of official trust and unlawful assembly said to have contravened various provisions of Penal Code in about one or two weeks.

Fresh WAR Brews In Saraki's Camp; Lafiagi Spur For War, Gov Ahmed Cries Foul Over 2019 Kwara Guber, Senatorial Slots

Amidst devastating Code of Conduct Tribunal ongoing trial, the President of the Senate has been enmeshed in another political brawl, but this time with some loyalists in his camp back home in Kwara State, News Punch understands

No doubt, even before the demise of his father, Olusola Saraki, Bukola had turned the godfather of Kwara politics, when he succeeded in installing Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed as Kwara governor against his father's wish to install Gbemi Saraki, his younger sister.

The tussle for the governorship of Kwara State has begun in earnest though the contest is still three years away.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has always zoned the governorship slot to Kwara North, which has never occupied the post since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

According to Ripples Nigeria, the decision was taken shortly before the second-term election of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, who is from Kwara South.

Before him, Kwara Central had ruled the State for 12 unbroken years through Late Mohammed Lawal and Bukola Saraki. They were in charge from 1999-2011.

But the decision to zone the slot to Kwara North is already causing ripples within the APC and the political empire of Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Investigations revealed that Saraki is rooting for 45-year-old Mohammed Zakari, so reported Ripples Nigeria

The Baruten/Kaiama constituency representative is on a second-term in the Upper Chamber. He is an avid supporter of the Senate President, who is said to be impressed by the extreme loyalty and vibrancy as the young politician.

The former journalist has been enjoying a cozy relationship with Saraki, fondly referred to as the Leader, in the State. But the tacit support for Zakari has pitched Saraki against former governor Senator Shaaba Lafiagi.

Lafiagi feels he deserves the slot naturally being the highest political holder from the zone.

The fact that he has occupied the governorship from January 1 1992-November 1993 under the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) makes him feel more deserving of the slot.

Besides, he has told his supporters that he has more than proven his loyalty to Saraki whose father, Late Olusola Saraki, made Lafiagi governor.

Lafiagi and the elder Saraki fell out then after the former refused to pay ‘royalties’ as demanded by the Late former Senate Leader.

He later apologised after being in political oblivion for almost a decade, a development that earned him appointment in February 2009 as Chairman of the National Sugar Development Council.

He went on to head the planning committee for the April 20, 2009 Special National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after being made a member of the party’s Board of Trustees.

Lafiagi, according to investigations, is prepared to fight Saraki to a standstill should he continue to back the much younger Zakari for the slot.

The Senate President, it was learnt, is indisposed to the Kwara North Senator because he is seen as too independent and might be difficult to control as governor.

Governor Ahmed is also at war with Saraki over the Kwara South Senatorial ticket.

The current occupant, Rafiu Ibrahim, is said to be keenly interested in another term, a development Ahmed considers an affront as a two-term governor.

Ahmed has told his supporters he deserves the right of ‘first refusal’ as a governor, especially based on his unalloyed support for the Senate President.

Though the tussle is still at a murmuring level in the party, competent sources informed that all the interested parties are unwilling to back down.

All of them curiously owe allegiance to Saraki, who is said to be seriously bothered about how to manage the ambitions of the big fishes in his camp come 2019.

The outcome of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) will however determine whether or not the embattled Senate President will be in a position to pull his weight at the right time.

CCT Trial: Jittery Saraki In All Night Secret Meeting With Buhari, APC Leaders At Aso Rock

A very crucial meeting, which may not be unconnected with the trial of the embattled President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki yesterday held at the Aso Rock, Abuja, News Punch understands

The meeting, which was also reported by The Nation Newspaper has it that President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night held a closed door meeting with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting started around 9.13 p.m when the President arrived the First Lady Conference Room, venue of the meeting.

Those at the meeting when it started included Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

Others include Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari and Senate Leader, Ali Ndume.

Also at the meeting were the National Chairman of APC, John Odegie-Oyegun, Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, and former Minister of Information, Tony Momoh.

The meeting was also attended by the APC Deputy National Chairman North, Shuaibu Lawali, and APC Deputy National Chairman South, Segun Oni.

The meeting was in progress at the time of filing this report.

However, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a prominent Chieftain of the APC was not in attendant.

Saraki is facing corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 15-count charge over assets fraudulent assets declaration

Saraki Helpless, Ouster Looms As Akpabio, 76 Senators Queue Behind Buhari, APC

The impeachment of the embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki may from now become reality as a total number of 77 senators, including the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, out of 109 have reportedly pledged their loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari, and apparently endorsed Saraki's successor, which will likely be from the ruling All Progressives Congress.

As reported by theNicheNG, Saraki is likely to resign after the May Day holiday, but should in case he remain adamant, plot has been perfected to get him impeached, our source says.

New Punch learnt that many senators who have been in solidarity with him since his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), have now agreed to support his impeachment

Saraki has tried without success to let himself off the hook of the CCT where he faces alleged false declaration of assets.

His support base among his colleagues has diminished in the past three weeks, even when some still talk openly of their resolve to stand by him till the end.

Up to 77 senators have reportedly teamed up with President Muhammadu Buhari to get rid of Saraki.

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, recently told a newspaper that Saraki will not get sympathy from the party in his travails.

Asked if his removal will not provide an opportunity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to enthrone one of its own as Senate president, Oyegun said the APC would not be bothered by such a scenario playing itself out, but the party is doing everything to ensure the matter does not get to that stage.

A party source told TheNiche that the Presidency, which has distanced itself from Saraki, has engaged in what he called “harvest”.

According to the source, Buhari’s allies are wooing PDP senators, especially those from the South East and South South, to defect to the APC to shore up numerical strength of the party in the Senate.

The APC currently has 64 out of the total 109 Senators – which is short of the two-third majority of 73 to impeach Saraki.

But it seems the “harvest” is paying off as 77 senators from across party lines are now reportedly in Buhari’s column in the Saraki must go campaign.

The senators, allegedly led by Godswill Akpabio (former Akwa Ibom State governor), were said to have held a meeting with Buhari in the Villa on the night of Wednesday, April 27 and pledged their support for his anti-graft war.

News Punch had earlier reported  that Akpabio Forms, Champions New Group Of G-77, Vows To Work With Buhari

“They said they have discovered that Buhari meant well in his anti-corruption war and that they have to support him,” a source disclosed.

Asked when the senators may begin moves to fire Saraki, the source said it may be after the May Day holiday.

Some senators loyal to Saraki had reportedly met in Abuja a few weeks ago and decided to ask him to resign in the interest of the office of the Senate president.

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Saraki, Dogara Splits; Fight Dirty Over Budget Padding, NASS Clerk; The Untold Cold War'll Shock You

A serious cold war has reportedly brewed between the embattled President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the House of Representatives counterpart, Speaker Yakubu Dogara over the recent imbroglio on the 2016 appropriation bill, which was said to be padded at the national assembly and the tussle over  who succeed the out-going assembly clerk, Mr. Salisu Maikasuwa, News Punch understands 

Report by Daily Independent  suggests that the leadership of the apex law making body of Nigeria from the side of the Commission (National Assembly Service Commission) on the one hand, and the political heads of the institution on the other are currently embroiled in another round of power tussle over who succeeds Mr. Salisu Maikasuwa as the next Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA). 

The controversy has refused to die down with new twists being added to the already invidious moves by politicians and bureaucratic eggheads. This is making the narrative of how not to make Mr. Benedict Efeturi, the current Deputy Clerk of National Assembly, the successor to Maikasuwa or why Mr. Mohammed Sani Omolori should not jump the gun to a position that some said is not rightly his, look like a very strategically-treacherous game of chess. 

While the latest but unconfirmed update coming from the Service Commission is that seven out of the 11 commissioners who were said to have initially voted for Omolori to be Acting Clerk have now written a counter-letter saying that Efeturi should be made acting Clerk. 

There are also indications that the leadership of the National Assembly is sharply divided over who should be the right successor. This is following feelers from both camps indicating that sides have being taken, leading to a certain cold war brewing between, Senator Bukola Saraki, the President of the Senate,  who is the chairman of the National Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as well as Dr. Adamu Fika, the chairman of the Service Commission. 

First to beat the war drum was the latter who issued a letter of appointment to Mr. Omolori on April 20, 2016 informing him to prepare to take over from the retiring Salisu Maikasuwa, an act the Senate President saw as a slight and undermining his position by the commission’s chief executive. 

Saraki had according to the rejection letter written on his behalf by Isa Galaudu, his Chief of Staff,  insisted that the letter written to Omolori by the commission announcing his appointment be withdrawn forthwith. President of the Senate/Chairman, National Assembly had noted that Mr. Benedict Efeturi who is the current Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly but who still sits in the Senate Chamber during plenary, despite having a substantive Clerk of the Senate should instead be the one to be so appointed. 

However, in a returned fire by the commission via a memo dated  April 26, 2016, with reference number NASC/CHO/PS/II/II/28, the President of the Senate was told unequivocally that his desire to  reverse the appointment of Clerk to the House of Representatives, Sani Omolori,  as the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly was not possible. 

Sources within the Saraki camp disclosed anonymously to Independent that the commission was colluding with the outgoing Clerk and some highly placed politicians within the House of Reps and outside the National Assembly to take advantage of Saraki’s travail at the Code of Conduct Tribunal where he is on trial for False Asset declaration to hatch and push through their plans. 

A ranking lawmaker close to the embattled President of the Senate who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said: “We know all those behind this plot to undermine the person and office of the President of the Senate in an attempt to advance their own selfish interest of installing their own candidate without following due process. 

“We also know that there’s a script being acted out here from certain quarters within and outside the Assembly, but I want to assure you that the Senate President is unshaken and ready to take on any challenge that is placed on his way to achieving justice; be it at CCT or anywhere in this land."

“How can somebody who’s next in line for a post be shoved aside while the person under him would be made to become his boss when he has not committed any punishable offence just because some people believe he was wrongly promoted ahead of the other person or that he has just a few days left in active service? How does that disqualify the man? So, the Senate President is saying that even if it is for one day, they should allow him to act before his retirement, something that even the military will consider."

 “If anyone is to be punished for any offence, it should be the commission chairman and his commissioners who promoted Efeturi ahead of Omolori in 2014 knowing that Omolori was the right man to have been promoted to the post of DCNA. “Let Dr. Fika tell Nigerians the truth behind this matter and stop playing to the gallery,” the apparently angry source stated. 

Another angry lawmaker in the House of Representatives when contacted by our reporter stated that “Speaker Yakubu Dogara and some powerful Northerners outside the National Assembly are the ones bent on subverting the course of justice by denying a man what is rightly his, just like they did to James Faleke in Kogi. 

“There is this geo-political conspiracy going on to entrench a Northern agenda and the Speaker is part of it – we know. We all saw the behaviour of his aides the day the appointment letter announcing Omolori came. Some of them quickly scanned it and posted on social media. I was told, Turaki Hassan, his Media Adviser,  was even the one who circulated the said letter to you press men, shouldn’t that speak volume as to the interest of his principal in the whole matter?” the source who spoke anonymously queried. 

He questioned why the position of Clerk of the Assembly has continued to be dominated by people from the North since 1999 when they are not the only ones in the Civil Service. 

The said cold war between Saraki and Dogara is said to have also manifested in the handling of the budget impasse between the National Assembly and the Presidency with the former said to be very angry at his Reps counterpart for his refusal to corporate in an alleged move to override the President’s veto on the 2016 Appropriation Bill. 

An insider source anonymously disclosed to Independent that the Senate President had sought the concurrence of Speaker Dogara in a bid to override the President’s veto as the constitutionally stipulated period drew near expiration. But Speaker Dogara was said to have tactically taken side with the executive when he was quoted as saying in an event that “the National Assembly wouldn’t be overriding the President’s veto”, as he moved subsequently to interface with the President on behalf of the House with a view to resolving all grey areas identified by President Buhari. 

The move was said to have forced Senator Saraki who felt betrayed to back-pedal on his alleged plans to garner support from leadership of both Houses in a bid to actualise the veto override, thereby compelling him to go along with the interface which eventually led to the resolution of all differences relating to the budget. 

Daily Independent

BREAKING: Saraki Turns Perceptual Loser As Suit To Disqualify CCT Chairman Also Thrown Out

The motion filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki's Cancels asking the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribuna Chairman, Danladi Umar to disqualify elf from the trial has been thrown out by the tribunal, just like other suits earlier filed by the embattled President of the Senate.

Justice Danladi Umar throws out application asking him to disqualify himself for lack of merit.

Below is the tribunal proceeding where the motion was thrown out by Justice Umar

Rotimi Jacobs rises for the prosecution

Prosecution takes his seat and Paul Usoro rises. Says Ajibola Oluyede will speak

Umar: this motion was dated 19/4/2016. Application says the Chairman of the CCT should remove himself from the trial of Saraki

Justice Umar is reading out submissions presented by Oluyede on d application he filed asking CCT Chairman 2 disqualify himself

Umar is reading out his ruling on the self disqualification application filed by Saraki's lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede

Justice Umar is still reading out the submissions by both Rotimi Jacobs and Oluyede on his self disqualification application

Umar: the tribunal having analysed submissions across parties and concluding that this is a situation where the applicant is challenging the competence of the Chairman

Umar: the question to ask here is: does the Attorney-General have powers to investigate? The answer is no!

Umar: is the Chairman of the CCT undergoing trial by the EFCC? No!

Umar: the discretion of who , how, when and how to prosecute lies with the Attorney-General

Umar: only a body instituted by law and vested with the power to investigate says there is a case against a person

Umar: only then does the Attorney-General have the power to investigate

Umar: only then does the Attorney-General have the power to prosecute

Umar: the letter written to the Attorney-General giving directive for prosecution was an interim report

Umar: thereafter EFCC continued with investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation,

Umar: the EFCC said the matters raises against the Chairman of the CCT were mere suspicions

Umar: it is clear that he who alleges, must prove. In this case, the petitioner couldn't prove that Justice Umar

Umar: called him asking for bribe. It was on this premise that the EFCC said there is no sufficient evidence against Umar

Umar: it should be noted that the EFCC isn't answerable to the Attorney-General of the Federation

Umar: it is only when sufficient evidence has been provided that the EFCC can prosecute a case thru its prosecuting counsels

Umar: the EFCC has the power to say that the person they investigated has no case to answer and to issue letter of clearance

Umar: which is what happened in this matter

Umar: the current Attorney-General of the Federation says that it can't prosecute the case against the Chairman of the CCT

Umar: by virtue of the letter by the EFCC stating lack of sufficient evidence against the CCT Chairman

Umar: finally, it is to be noted that the EFCC letter of March 2016 supersedes the letter of June 2014

Umar: and is therefore dismissed in its entirety