Michael Wetkas, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Prosecution Witness 1 in the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki for under declaring his asset, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has affirmed that Saraki was worth more than N4billion before becoming the governor of Kwara state in 2003.
An amount, said to be over two times the annual budget of Kwara State as at that time.
He made this known while listing Saraki’s fleet of cars and other assets during cross examination, while he was also made to sum up the value of Saraki’s cars included in the asset declaration, by Paul Irokoro SAN, one of Saraki’s counsels.
Wetkas said: “N1.5million, belonging to Saraki’s wife was listed as being in her EcoBank account. Saraki has some shares with the African Petroleum worth N3. 645million. Cash amount of N1.1million was also listed, in the name of Tosin Saraki and Seni Saraki”.
According to the PW1, 16 vehicles were also listed among which included over 11 Mercedes, valued at prices ranging from N6 million to 45 million, variously as well as a, Lincoln Navigator bullet proof, valued at , N25 million, among others.
Irokoro had earlier claimed to the CCT chaired by Justice Danladi Umar, that Saraki was worth more than N4 billion before he became governor of kwara State, in 2003, in a bid to back up his claim that Saraki could not have stolen from government’s treasury since according to him, ‘Saraki has more money than government’.
“The point the defence is driving at is that the defendant could not have stolen from government’s treasury since he was richer than government. The prosecution has made concerted efforts to make it look like the defendant has stolen from government, when that is not the case.
“It is just aimed at scandalising the defendants through the media”, Irokoro muttered.
Earlier at the resumption of trial, Justice Umar had delivered a ruling in favour of Saraki, when it set aside an application by Prosecution Counsel,
Rotimi Jacobs SAN that the defendant should only use a particular counsel for the ongoing cross-examination of witness.
The tribunal held that the tribunal would act, based on the provisions of the law. While the defence counsel should not abandon the case; at any point the defendant had the right to be represented by as many counsels as possible.
The Senate President is standing trial in a 16 count amended charge for undedeclaring his assets, operating foreign accounts while being a public officer.
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