Saraki To Face Trial As Code Of Conduct Tribunal Affirms Jurisdiction Over False Asset Declaration

The Code of Conduct Tribunal has ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the case against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki for allegedly declaring false assets while he was governor of Kwara State.

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki raised objections about the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal in the last sitting.

Dr. Saraki’s lead lawyer, Kanu Agabi, had argued that the 13-count charge was invalid procedurally because the Code of Conduct Bureau which filed the charges, failed to allow Dr. Saraki explain discrepancies in his assets declaration forms as required by law.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar, ruled that there was no breach of law as the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1989, still allows the Senate President to raise his clarifications at the level of the tribunal.

The tribunal also ordered the prosecution to produce its witnesses.

Mr. Danladi Umar, said it does not matter how long a crime was committed as the federal government can initiate criminal proceeding anytime the crime is uncovered.

The federal government is being represented in the case by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, while Mr Kanu Agabi is leading 80 other lawyers in Dr. Saraki’s Defence.

In the charges instituted by the federal government, the Senate President is being accused of making false assets declaration in his forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau as a two-term governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

The trial has been adjourned till April 5, 2016.