EFCC fails to substantiate allegation of anticipatory declaration against Saraki

– EFCC on Tuesday, May 10, failed to substantiate allegation of anticipatory buying of property against Bukola Saraki

– Saraki has been charged to court since September 22, 2015 over 13 counts of corruption bordered on corruption

Time to laugh: Bukola Saraki laughing at CCT

In another bungled claim, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, May 10, failed to substantiate allegation of anticipatory buying of property against Bukola Saraki, the President of the Senate, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The property in contention is the crux of the case, as the Federal government is claiming in the charges against Saraki that he entered in his 2003 assets declaration form, a property he later bought in 2006.

READ ALSO: Anti-corruption: Read what the Nigerian Senate is planning to do

However, Michael Wetkas, a witness and EFCC detective, failed to convince the tribunal, that Saraki did anticipatory buying following proves that No 15 MacDonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State was bided for by different companies and persons when Saraki bought it.

According the Defence Counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), “Mr Wetkas,  can you tell us how the defendant knew in 2003 what properties he would buy in 2006?”, this was the master stroke that killed it after Wetkas could not through facts and documents proved that there was any anticipatory buying by Saraki.

Although Rotimi Jacobs, the lead counsel to the federal government and Danladi Umar, the CCT Chairman, tried to come to the rescue of Wetkas, but it was immaterial in the face of contradictory claims and lack of evidence to nail substantiate the charge.

Consequently, the lawyer to Saraki has now raised a new ground that his assets declaration form was likely tampered with at the CCB: “Logic tells us that exhibit 1 has been tampered with.”

READ ALSO: Guess how much Saraki was worth before he became Kwara state governor

This may be a new ground for the court to determine and spend time with, as the tail may be wagging the dog in the days ahead.

Saraki has been charged to court since September 22, 2015 over 13 counts of corruption bordered on corruption.

 

The post EFCC fails to substantiate allegation of anticipatory declaration against Saraki appeared first on Nigeria News today & Breaking news | Read on NAIJ.COM (Nigerian newspapers).