UPDATES - False Assets Declaration: Saraki Arrives Tribunal with Just 4 Senators.

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki already arrived at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, in company of just four Senators. The Senators are Shaaba Lafiagi – Kwara North; Senator Kabiru Gaya – Kano; Senator Rafiu Ibrahim – Kwara South and  Senator Stella Oduah.

Justics Danladi Umar of CCT had three days ago said the Nigerian senate is no trial but Senator Bukola Saraki, hence there is no need for the Senators to overcrowding the tribunal.

Senator Olubukola Abubakar Saraki who is the Nigeria's Senate President is currently standing trial for alleged false declaration of assets and other criminal charges which the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, claimed was carried out while he was the Governor of Kwara State.

The Senate President had until now, enjoyed a large company of Senators who had been accompanying him to the tribunal in a bid to show their support.


It was  however, noticed a significant reduction in the number of Senators that now accompanies Senator Saraki to the tribunal in the last two proceedings.

The drop in number became more noticeable yesterday when no fewer than 10 Senators where seen in the tribunal hall among whom was the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

However, noticeable in today’s proceedings is the former Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs under the immediate past administration, Mr Godsday Peter Orubebe.

Justice Danladi Umar has decided to commence with Orubebe's case first.  He's also standing trial for false declaration of assets.

Justice Umar however said that because of seniority, Saraki's case  will be heard before #OrubebevsCCT. 

Counsels argue that no case is greater.

Orubebe's counsel says it's unfair for CCT to stand down #OrubebevsCCT for #SarakivsCCT.

Umar chides them for not showing respect for seniors.

Both Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and Kanu Agabi ( SAN) agree with Justice Umar's ruling on seniority in the bench.

Justice Umar rules that #SarakivsCCT must be heard first and asks Orubebe's counsels to stand down. 

Senate President Bukola Sraki takes the accused stand now.


Michael Wetkas takes to the witbess stand as defense prepares to continue his cross examination

Defense: Michael remember you are on oath and it is still running


Witness: I do.

Defense: you mentioned you started working with the EFCC in 2004. Give us a background to your academic qualification

I graduated from Unijos in 2001 with a BSc in Mgt Sci. After NYSC, I worked for a private company for less than 1wk

 Defense: where did you do your NYSC?

Witness: CBN Yola. Accounts Office. Between 2002 & 2003

 Witness: after that I worked for a private company for less than a week after which I picked up this job
Defense: so after graduation, the EFCC is the primary place you have worked?

Witness: yes

Defense: which of the departments in EFCC did you work in?

Witness: I had a regiment training in Police College in Lagos. After which I worked in various sections for 1
Defense: what are the names of these sections of the EFCC?

Witness : I worked with the investigation from their to the advanced fraud section to the bank fraud section

Witness: I started from the general investigation unit after doing attachment with the other sections mentioned

Witness: I worked with general investigation for a few years b4 going back to bank fraud and then the governance session

 Witness: In Abuja, I was posted to the economic governance session in 2010/2011 where in I attended several trainings

Defense reminds witness that he missed his secondary education and asks him what it is

Prosecution objects and says he doesn't think the education dossier of the witness is relevant

 Justice Umar asks defense to stick to relevant questions. Defense doesn't think it is asking threatening questions

 Witness: I seek the protection of the court. You see that information...

Defense: I won't ask you more than that