Charges against me not known to law, Saraki tells CCT

Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday told the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) that the charge of ‘false declaration by no declaration’ filed against him by the Federal Government is not an offence known to law.

Saraki through his lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN), while arguing his no-case submission, said the charge was faulty. He said what the law forbids is a statement in the declaration that is false and such statement must be clearly identified in the charge.

He added that it is not the provision of the law for anyone to declare an asset declaration of a public servant to be false, except such person has the authority to do so. 

Agabi also told the tribunal that the seven petitions, which the prosecution said precipitated the investigation of the Senate president, had nothing to do with the defendant. 

However, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) in his reply told the tribunal that one method to adopt to show that there is a prima-facie case against Saraki was to look at Exhibits 6 and 26, which were assets declaration made by Saraki after the trial has commenced.

The Chairman of the Tribunal, Danladi Umar said ruling is reserved to a date that would be communicated to the parties.