Tag Archives: CCT

False Asset Declaration: Senate President Saraki’s Trial Continues.

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The trial of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, over alleged false assets declaration, has continued, with the cross examination of prosecution witness, Mr Samuel Madujemu.

The witness told the tribunal that he is not in possession of the report of investigation conducted on the senate president’s asset declaration.
Under cross examination, the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, asked if he was a member of the team in 2006 when a team was set up to investigate Saraki’s claim.

The witness said he was not a member of the team but was a member of the team set up in 2015 to review the earlier report by the 2006 team.

When asked why he swore an affidavit affirming knowledge of the investigation, Mr Madujemu said that the earlier report as told to him by the EFCC, was scanty.

Also, when asked if he had any record by the EFCC declaring the report scanty, he said that he had a mental record because he had only been informed orally by the EFCC members of the team.

The witness was also asked why he did not invite the Senate President as part of his investigation and in response, he said the statements on the senate president’s asset form were enough for the investigation.

He further stated that besides that, it was the prerogative of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau to invite a public servant for interview, even though it was the convention at the bureau.

 

Source: Channels TV

FG files charges against arrested judges at CCT

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The federal government on Wednesday filed two separate charges against Sylvester Ngwuta, a supreme court judge, and Adeniyi Ademola, his federal high court counterpart, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

They were alleged to have contravened the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act.

Salihu Isha, special adviser on media and publicity to the attorney-general of the federation, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Isah said Hajara Yusuf, principal state counsel at the federal ministry of justice, filed the charges on behalf of the attorney-general, pursuant to section 24 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

According to Isah, the government in its request to arraign Ngwuta alleged that “he engaged in private business as a public officer, contrary to section 6(b) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act”.

The judge is also alleged to have refused to declare his assets as a public officer contrary to section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act, Cap C15 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 23(2) of the same Act.

Ngwuta is expected to face a 10-count charge.

Part of the charges against him were that “between 2nd June 2011 and 19th uly 2016 while serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Tribunal, did make a false declaration of assets to the CCB when he failed to declare three duplexes at Chinedu Ogah Avenue, Ntezi, Aba in Abakaliki, while being a justice of the supreme court”.

He is also alleged in the second count to have between the 2nd June 2011 and 19th July 2016, while serving as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria made a false declaration to the CCB when he failed to declare 22 plots of land at Chief Igwe Uga Avenue, Abakaliki, while the third count states that he failed to declare six plots of land at Frank Okoroafor Avenue, Abakaliki.

Also, Ademola has a two-count allegation filed against him and for which an affidavit was also deposed to by Samuel Madojemu of the CCB.

Count one of the charge against Ademola is that, he failed to declare his assets to the CCB and thereby breached section 15 of the CCB and Tribunal Act, Cap C15 and punishable under section 23(2) of the same Act, while the second count is that he engages and participate in private business contrary to section 6 of the CCB and Tribunal Act and punishable under Section 23(2) of same Act.

BREAKING: Again, FG moves to amend Saraki’s false asset declaration charge.

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The Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, has again amended the charges brought against Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Mr. Saraki is facing trial on a 16-count charge for alleged false asset declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja.

The trial, which began in September 2015, was earlier amended in 2016, with an addition of three charges.

A prosecution witness, Samuel Madojemu, was already in the dock presenting his evidence when the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, announced his decision to amend the charges against Mr. Saraki.

After informing the tribunal about the application for hearing on the amended charge, the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, said he had not been briefed about the decision to amend the charges.

The defence counsel, however, said they had been served with a motion for the amendment of charge by the prosecution.

Subsequently the matter was stood down for an hour for hearing on the application to amend the charges.

Earlier Mr. Madojemu, who was head of investigation at the CCB, told the tribunal that investigation which led to the trial of Mr. Saraki had been triggered by a previous investigation conducted by a presidential investigation team in 2006.

“When we joined the team, a review of the investigation was done by the CCB, EFCC and other members of the team. In the course of the review, the team discovered that there was a previous report by a Presidential investigation team set up in 2006 consisting the CCB, EFCC and the SSS.

“It was that report which covered the beginning of tenure 2003 of the defendant. That report was what triggered the investigation,” he said.

Mr. Saraki was Kwara governor between 2003 and 2011.

Mr. Madojemu explained that the said investigation began with the EFCC after which the commission forwarded the result of its investigation to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

He said the AGF found the infractions allegedly committed had to do with false declaration of asset and that was how the Code of Conduct Bureau was invited into the matter.

The trial will continue later on Wednesday after the one hour adjournment.

Saraki’s trial will no longer be from day-to-day, says CCT Judge

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Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), says the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki will not take place from “day-to-day”.

?This is contrary to his statement in April 2016 that the trial of the senate president would take place every work day.

Earlier, Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to the federal government, which is prosecuting Saraki for false asset declaration, had asked the tribunal to adjourn the trial to next week to enable him to call his next witness.

He said some of his witnesses were still in Lagos, and that they would need some time to arrive? in Abuja.

He also prayed the tribunal to give a ruling that the trial would be from day-to-day.

This was after he had re-examined Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and prosecution witness, on some of the statements he made when he was being cross-examined by Paul Usoro, Saraki’s lawyer.

The CCT chairman granted? him his request for an adjournment, but he denied the prayer for a day-to-day trial.

“I’m? going to adjourn this matter to next week, but it cannot go on from day to day. We have other cases,” he said.

He, thereafter, adjourned the case to January 17.

CSNAC Frowns At Continuous Adjournments Of Saraki’s Trial At CCT

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The Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), which is a coalition of over 150 anti-corruption organizations, has urged the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), to speed up its adjudication process in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.

In a petition sent to the Tribunal’s chairman and signed by the coalition’s chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC said frivolous adjournment in criminal trial is a violation of the provisions of the law, urging the Tribunal to ensure that the  matter is speedily completed.

Taking its cue from the November 8, 2016, report of The Cable, an online Newspaper, where it was reported that at the resumption of trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the tribunal Chairman Mr. Danladi Umar adjourned the trial to January 11, 2017 after sitting for about thirty minutes.

CSNAC said, “You  were reported to have announced the adjournment after allowing Paul Usoro SAN counsel to Mr. Saraki cross – examine Mr. Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  The report said you further stated that you had more important things to attend to.

“In a bid to hasten the dispensation of justice through speedily bringing criminals to book thereby checkmating the rise of crime in the society, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted in May 2015 to provide the much needed change to the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. In view of this, the Act provides for the day to day trial of criminal matters. In section 396, it provides as follows:

“(3) Upon arraignment, the trial of the Defendant shall proceed from day to day until the conclusion of the trial.

“Though the Act provides for short adjournment intervals where necessary, it also stipulates that the court may award reasonable costs in order to discourage frivolous adjournments. Furthermore, in order to achieve its aim of speedy dispensation of justice, the Act also completely bans any application for stay of proceedings in respect of criminal matters.”

The coalition stated further that, “From the foregoing, it is evident that a new dawn has begun in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.

“The trial of the Senate President before the Code of Conduct Tribunal is a criminal matter which is subject to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. In view of this, the unwarranted adjournment of the matter by the tribunal chairman without recourse to the provisions of the Act ought to be challenged, in view of the fact that the Act also provides that where day-to-day trial is impracticable, the interval between adjournments shall not exceed 14 working days.

“It is obvious that the duration from the last date of hearing till January is a violation of this Act and will only serve to defeat the purpose of speedy adjudication of criminal matters which the Act seeks to achieve, and which is the norm in well-developed societies across the world.”

Making its submission, CSNAC said it is therefore by the petition requesting that, “Your office take note of this unlawful Act, take measures to correct this violation and uphold provisions of the law.

“The tribunal and all Courts must desist from frivolously adjournment in criminal trial and ensure that such matters are speedily completed. By so doing, you will be discharging the duties of your office effectively, as well as ensuring that corruption is stamped out of Nigeria one step at a time.”

Read the petition below:

30th November, 2016
The Chairman
Code of Conduct Tribunal,
Federal Secretariat Complex,
Shehu Shagari Way,
Maitama, Abuja.

Dear Sir,
REQUEST FOR THE CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL TO STOP FRIVOLOUS ADJOURNMENTS IN THE TRIAL OF SENATOR BUKOLA SARAKI

Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC) is a coalition of over hundred and fifty Anti-corruption organizations whose primary aim is to constructively combat corruption vigorously and to ensure the effective monitoring of the various Anti-graft agencies in the fight against corruption and contribute towards the enthronement of transparency, accountability, probity and total commitment in the fight to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.

On 8th November, 2016, The Cable , an online newspaper reported that at the resumption of trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the tribunal Chairman Mr. Danladi Umar adjourned the trial to January 11, 2017 after sitting for about thirty minute. You  were reported to have announced the adjournment after allowing Paul Usoro SAN counsel to Mr. Saraki cross – examine Mr. Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The report said you further stated that you had more important things to attend to.

In a bid to hasten the dispensation of justice through speedily bringing criminals to book thereby checkmating the rise of crime in the society, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted in May 2015 to provide the much needed change to the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. In view of this, the Act provides for the day to day trial of criminal matters. In section 396, it provides as follows:

“(3) Upon arraignment, the trial of the Defendant shall proceed from day to day until the conclusion of the trial”

Though, the Act provides for short adjournment intervals where necessary, it also stipulates that the court may award reasonable costs in order to discourage frivolous adjournments. Furthermore, in order to achieve its aim of speedy dispensation of justice, the Act also completely bans any application for stay of proceedings in respect of criminal matters.

From the foregoing, it is evident that a new dawn has begun in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. The trial of the Senate President before the Code of Conduct Tribunal is a criminal matter which is subject to the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. In view of this, the unwarranted adjournment of the matter by the tribunal chairman without recourse to the provisions of the Act ought to be challenged, in view of the fact that the Act also provides that where day-to-day trial is impracticable, the interval between adjournments shall not exceed 14 working days. It is obvious that the duration from the last date of hearing till January is a violation of this Act and will only serve to defeat the purpose of speedy adjudication of criminal matters which the Act seeks to achieve, and which is the norm in well-developed societies across the world.

CSNAC is therefore by this petition requesting that your office take note of this unlawful Act, take measures to correct this violation and uphold provisions of the law. The tribunal and all Courts must desist from frivolously adjournment in criminal trial and ensure that such matters are speedily completed. By so doing, you will be discharging the duties of your office effectively, as well as ensuring that corruption is stamped out of Nigeria one step at a time.

We thank you in anticipation of your appropriate and necessary action in this regards..

Yours faithfully,

Olanrewaju Suraju
Chairman.

CCT To Try 50 Public Officers In Akwa Ibom

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) would between Dec. 6 and Dec. 9 relocate to Akwa Ibom for the trial of 50 public officers in the state who allegedly breached the code of conduct ethics.

Mr Danladi Umar, Chairman of the tribunal, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to him, the defendants comprise of ex-Special Advisers and Local Government Councillors that served between 2008 and 2009.

According to him, two Clerks from Esit and Etim Local Governments will also be tried.

“The tribunal’s itinerant session helps to clear up backlogs of cases in the zone within the period of the session. It also makes legal services at the door step of the defaulters, particularly the low-ranking public officers and as well serves as a means of publicising the activities of the tribunal within the zone.

“The essence is to further strengthen the relationship between CCT and the hosting state, whose infrastructure and other logistics would be used for the session,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal is the enforcement and disciplinary arm of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

All public officers in the Federal, State and Local Government levels are compelled by the Act of the bureau to declare their assets within the period of engagement.

NAN further reports that the tribunal recently convicted the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, for breaching CCB Act, while the trial of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, at the tribunal is ongoing.

Credit: NAN

Why I won’t tag Nigeria a corrupt country – Saraki

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Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said that he will not tag Nigeria a corrupt country because he prefers to market it.

 

Saraki, in an interview with the BBC Hausa service, though admitted that there were cases of corruption in the country, but said he would not label Nigeria as such.

 

Saraki said: “My take is that I must market my country, so I am not going to be able to label the country as such,” he said.

 

“Yes, there are issues that we must address, but I am not going to dwell so much on that because I need to market my country so that I can get private sector in flow.

“I must create an enabling environment that will encourage growth, because without that, it will be difficult for us to be able to see the kind of growth that we are talking about. Government alone cannot do it.”

 

On whether he had witnessed cases of corruption in the country, the Senate President said: “Of course there are, that is why we have oversight functions. Like many other countries, we have those kinds of challenges, but we have moved a long way?.”

 

Saraki, who is facing charges of false declaration of assets at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), also said he acquired 95 percent of his wealth before he became a public servant.

“I have other important things to do”, says CCT judge. Pushes Saraki’s trial to January.

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Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday adjourned the trial Senate President Bukola Saraki to January 11.
Announcing the adjournment after sitting for only 30 minutes, Umar said he had “other important thing to attend to”.
Before his announcement, Umar allowed Paul Usoro, Saraki’s counsel, to finish cross-examining Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and prosecution witness.
Usoro cross-examined Wetkas on count 16 of the charge of false declaration of assets brought against Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
While being cross-examined on the charge, Wetkas admitted that he did? not speak with the Kwara state government or interrogate Saraki on the allegation.
?Usoro: Did you speak with Kwara state government or officials as regard this allegation.
 
Wetkas: No, didn’t speak with them.
 
Usoro: Throughout the investigation you didn’t speak with defendant?
 
Wetkas: Yes, that is correct.
 
Usoro: So, in respect of this charge you didn’t have any input from him?
 
Wetkas: No,  I did not.
 
?Usoro cross-examined the witness for about three months.
The charge read in part: “That you Saraki while being senator did receive monthly salary as governor of Kwara state.”

I have Other Important Things to Do – CCT Judge as he Adjourns Saraki’s Trial To Jan

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Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday adjourned the trial Senate President Bukola Saraki to January 11.

Announcing the adjournment after sitting for only 30 minutes, Umar said he had “other important thing to attend to”.

Before his announcement, Umar allowed Paul Usoro, Saraki’s counsel, to finish cross-examining Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and prosecution witness.

Usoro cross-examined Wetkas on count 16 of the charge of false declaration of assets brought against Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

While being cross-examined on the charge, Wetkas admitted that he did? not speak with the Kwara state government or interrogate Saraki on the allegation.

?Usoro: Did you speak with Kwara state government or officials as regard this allegation.

Wetkas: No, didn’t speak with them.

Usoro: Throughout the investigation you didn’t speak with defendant?

Wetkas: Yes, that is correct.

Usoro: So, in respect of this charge you didn’t have any input from him?

Wetkas: No,  I did not.

?Usoro cross-examined the witness for about three months.

The charge read in part: “That you Saraki while being senator did receive monthly salary as governor of Kwara state.”

Code of Conduct: Saraki lied over Lagos property – Witness

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Prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, said on Monday that the claim by Saraki that he bought a property in Lagos with proceeds of sale of rice and sugar was false.

Wetkas, who was being cross-examined for the 13th day by the defence, told the Danladi Umar-led CCT that the Senate President actually bought the properties at 17A and B, McDonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, in 2006 with proceeds of loans he obtained from the Guaranty Trust Bank.

Saraki is being prosecuted by the Federal Government before the CCT on 16 counts, including false and anticipatory asset declaration, which he allegedly made as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Wetkas was asked by the defence lawyer, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), to read from the various asset declaration forms completed by the Senate President and earlier admitted by the CCT as exhibits.

In his asset declaration form of June 3, 2011 which he submitted at the end of his second term as governor, Saraki, declared that he acquired the property in 2006, and five others in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 2000 with proceeds of sales of rice and sugar.

Meanwhile, he earlier declared in his asset declaration form dated July 11, 2007 for his end of first term as governor, and at the beginning of his second term as governor, that he acquired the properties through loan worth N497m.

The witness explained that the loan initially obtained was structured to be paid quarterly in five tranches but that as the then Kwara State governor, he was obtaining additional loans from the bank which led to the subsequent restructuring of the loan.

Wetkas, as directed by the defence lawyer, also read from the GT Bank statement of the Senate President covering the period 2005 to 2015.

The bank statement was earlier admitted by the CCT as Exhibit 7.

Wetkas confirmed that Saraki obtained three loans in the sums of N380m, N380m and N400m in connection with the properties acquired by Saraki.

He said, “In 2006, the balance was N9,779,109. 79m before the loan was credited. This first loan taken was used to pay the one before. The loan amount was N380m.

“The property it was used to buy was worth N256.3m. There was five per cent charge translated into N12,815,000. It was liquidated on February 5, 2007.

“When the loan was liquidated, it took the balance to a debit balance of N231,552,804.93. Then another loan was taken of N380m on the same February 5, 2007. The second loan was taken to defray the debit. It now gave a credit balance of N98m.

“As of the 2007 declaration, there was debit outstanding of the loan of up to N300m, which was not declared in 2007 declaration. There were other inflows into account the purposes of paying.

“On August 27, 2009, the balance on the account shows an inflow into the account of N100m through banker’s cheque. On July 31, 2009, it shows that the account was in debit of about N93,933,654.15.

“After the inflow of N100m on August 27, it went into credit balance of N6,066,345.6. On April 30, 2009, the account was in debit position of N17m. The on the same date, there was loan disbursement of N400m.”

House of Reps may revisit CCB/CCT Amendment Bill

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Indications emerged yesterday that the House of Representatives may reconsider the Code of Conduct Amendment Bill 2016 recently passed into law, which whittled the powers of the President on the tribunal.

The bill, passed last week by the Senate but yet to be assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, sought among others, to transfer the powers of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the CCT from the Executive to the National Assembly.

However, the legislative initiative did not go down well with the House Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who said there was need to look at it again in the interest of Nigerians.

Making a copious reference to constitutional provision on appointments into the board of the CCB, he said that the bill as passed by the Senate ran contrary to the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Gbajabiamila, who pushed for an immediate deliberation on the issue yesterday, further claimed that he was not aware of any of such infractions when the bill was considered on clause-by-clause basis in the lower legislative chamber recently.

But Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Obio/Akpor: Rivers) and Pwajok Edward Gyang (Jos: Plateau: PDP) said the House Leader should have raised the issue as a substantive motion.

Gyang asserted that it would be an aberration to revisit the bill, saying that it behooves the House to tarry awhile and see whether the President will assent to it or not.

Meanwhile, Speaker Dogara, who presided over the plenary session, ruled that Gbajabiamila should put the House members on notice to enable them have ample opportunity to reflect on the issue rather than laying an “ambush” for them on it.

The House had passed the amendment bill in May 2016 and sent it to the Senate for concurrence.The bill passed by the Senate allowed the President to maintain his appointment powers over the CCB.

But the appointment of the chairman and members of the bureau and the tribunal will be subject to Senate’s approval, limited to a tenure of five years, while the second term will be subject to legislative approval if the amendment is passed into law.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Samuel Anyanwu, while laying a report on the concurrence amendment bill on the floor of the chamber, had admitted a similar reworked one was introduced in the Senate earlier in the year, which generated political tension that forced the lawmakers to suspend the process.

In another development, Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has said the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act was not to favour Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is on trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) in Abuja.

Ndume, who made the clarifications yesterday while reacting to the debate on the amendment of the CCT Act during an interactive session with reporters in Maiduguri, said: “It is insulting on us to say that we are doing the bidding of Saraki because laws are not made in retrospect. If we make a law today, it cannot immediately invalidate the existing laws on the same issue.”Ndume said that the main concern of the National Assembly was to make the organisation more effective in its functions.

BREAKING: Bukola Saraki loses bid to halt CCT trial.

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The appeal court on Thursday dismissed Senate President Bukola Saraki’s appeal challenging his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

 

The panel led by Abdul Aboki, a justice, dismissed the appeal and held that the appellant’s submission was laced with sentiments.

 

Aboki further struck out a cross appeal by the appellant filed at court, saying that it was “smuggle?d in”.

 

Saraki is standing trial for alleged false declaration of assets.

?

More to follow…

Court Dismisses Saraki’s Appeal Against CCT

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The Court of Appeal in Abuja has again affirmed the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct Tribunal to try the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on charges bordering on assets declaration breaches before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Delivering judgment in the appeal filed by Saraki, the Justice Abdul Aboki-led panel of the appeal court on Thursday affirmed the CCT’s jurisdiction after dismissing the appeal filed by Saraki challenging his trial before the tribunal.

All the four other members of the panel unanimously agreed with the lead judgment delivered by Justice Aboki? who resolved all the eight issues formulated for determination against Saraki.

In affirming the earlier ruling of the Danladi Umar-led CCT that affirmed the tribunal’s jurisdiction, Justice Aboki held among others that contrary to Saraki’s contention, the Attorney-General of the Federation had the power to institute charges against him before the CCT.

The appeal court also held that under the Constitution, the Code of Conduct wa?s not under any obligation to invite the appellant to enable him to make written admission of breaches in his asset declaration forms before charges could be initiated against him.

It held that the tribunal had rightly departed from its earlier decision exonerating a former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu? on account that he was not invited by the CCB to confront him with the allegations levelled against him.

The court also held that the fact that the charges were initiated 13? years after the offences were allegedly committed was immaterial.

Justice Aboki described the contention as sentimental which the court had been enjoined not to delve into.

This was the second time the appeal court would be delivering judgment on the same subject matter of jurisdiction of the CCT to try the Senate President.

The Court of Appeal had last year ruled against Saraki on the jurisdiction of the CCT and asked him to proceed to face the 16 counts preferred against him.

The judgment of the appeal court was validated by the Supreme Court in February.

Credit:

http://punchng.com/breaking-appeal-court-dismisses-sarakis-cct-trial/

Code of Conduct: Ex-Minister Orubebe to appeal tribunal judgement

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Former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe, has said he is not guilty as pronounced by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), chairman, Danladi Umar, adding that he will appeal the judgement to secure the ‘ordinary empty land which he had since sold to the man who bought it.’

 

Orubebe who maintained that he did not declare the said empty land in Asokoro District, because it was no longer in his possession when he left office said, “It won’t be fair to the innocent man who bought the ordinary empty land from me when I was in distress.’

 

Orubebe, who believes he is being prosecuted over his outburst at the 2015 Presidential Election collation centre in Abuja, in an attempt to protest the outcome of the election, said his lawyer, Mr Selekowei Larry (SAN), will appeal against the judgment which he described as “travesty of Justice”.

 

According to him, the verdict was a clear example of “convict him at all cost” syndrome. He explained that the said empty plot in the Asokoro district was allocated to him by the government in 2007 as part of his ministerial entitlements Abuja.

CCT: Tribunal dismisses Saraki’s motion for disqualifying tribunal chairman

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday dismissed the motion filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki’s asking the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, to disqualify himself from further presiding over his (Saraki) on charges relating to asset declaration breaches.

Saraki, had in his motion filed on June 13, 2016 sought the tribunal’s order compelling its chairman to disqualify himself over allegation of a bias statement credited to him during the proceedings of June 7.

The defence had quoted the tribunal chairman to have warned the defence against causing delay of the case with a threat that the delay tactics would not reduce the consequence awaiting the accused.

But ruling on the application, the tribunal, held that the comment credited to him was unverified and that the defence failed to meet the legal standard of proving allegation of bias against a judge.

Umar, who read the ruling of the tribunal said the affidavit of “concerned citizens” filed by Saraki to prove the allegation of bias against him was unknown to law.

He said, “It is our holding that the defendant/applicant’s allegation of bias is merely founded on conjecture.

“The allegation of bias is a serious issue and it is capable of destroying public confidence in the institution.

“The affidavit by the concerned citizens does not constitute a standard for proving such serious allegation.

“The tribunal upholds that the application of the applicant is not legally founded and it is hereby refused.”

Reading the ruling of the two-man panel, Umar noted that even if he had wished to withdraw from the trial, the Constitution constraints of removing the tribunal chairman as captured under Paragraph 17(3) and (4) of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, would not permit him to do so.

He also noted that the practice of asking a judge to recuse or disqualify himself from the trial before the CCT was only application to the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, as well as the High Court of the various states of the federation but not to the tribunal.

Noting that no court apart from the CCT has the jurisdiction to try the cases relating to asset declaration -related breaches, Umar added that asking the chairman to recuse himself was tantamount to closing down the tribunal as “without the chairman, there is no tribunal”.

False Asset Declaration: CCT Finds Orubebe Guilty

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, on Tuesday, found a former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, guilty of false declaration of an asset.

Orubebe had been standing trial on a one-count charge of false asset declaration.

The Federal Government had claimed that Orubebe, who was a minister under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, committed the offense while he was a public officer.

But the chairman of the tribunal, Danladi Umar, in his judgment, ruled:“?I hereby seize, on behalf of the federal government, the property known as plot 2057.

“The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and all evidence tendered are admitted.”

The tribunal chairman held that Orubebe committed an offense for not declaring a piece of property in Abuja, which the former minister claimed he had sold.

Senate Suspends Moves To Amend CCB/CCT Act

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The Senate on Wednesday suspended further deliberation on the amendment of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Tribunals Act as well as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, announced the suspension following a two-hour closed door session.

The close-door session was informed by a Point of Order raised by Sen. Hope Uzodinma (PDP-Imo West) on the need for the senate to discuss some issues affecting the integrity of the upper house.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Bill to amend the Acts, sponsored by Sen. Peter Nwoboshi (PDP-Delta North), passed through the first and second readings on April 12 and April 14.

The senate, while declaring support for the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, in view of his trial, also suspended discussions on the petition of inflammatory statements on the Senate against Sen. Kabiru Marafa (APC-Zamfara Central).

“The senate in a closed-door session discussed a number of issues affecting the smooth working of the senate.

“And I am happy to announce to our colleagues and the entire nation that after exhaustive deliberations and being sincere to ourselves, we decided to put behind us all things that have divided us since the inception of the 8 Senate and work as a united senate in the best interest of our country.

“We also agreed in the closed-session to suspend the discussion of the committee on Ethics report on Senator Marafa.

“We agreed to suspend further deliberation on the amendment on the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal’s Act and the Criminal and Administration of Justice Act the amendment thereto.

“We agreed that this senate should stand and we do stand by the senate president in his trial until proven guilty by the court in accordance with our constitution and democratic practices all over the world including South Africa, Brazil and Russia.”

The deputy president of the senate further announced that the upper house had set up committees to reconcile the warring factions in the senate and other pertinent issues.

“We also agreed to set up a committee two from each geo-political zone to address all the remaining issues and as part of the reconciliation those in court should consider withdrawing the cases.

“Further to the agreement to set up the committees, the geo-political zones have sent names of their representatives.

“For South South, we have Sen. Akpabio and Sen. James Manager; for North West, we have Sen. Sani Yerima and Suleiman Hunkuyi; for the North East, we have Sen. Bukar Abba and Joshua Lidani.

“For the South East, we have Sam Egwu and Hope Uzodinma; for the North Central, we have Gemade and Abdullahi Adamu; and for the South West, we have Monsurat Sumonu and Sen. Gbenga Ashafa.”

Credit: ngrguardian

Saraki Storms CCT With 90 Lawyers

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The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday appeared at the Code of Conduct Tribunal with 90 lawyers for the continuation of his trial.

Mr. Saraki had in the last two sittings presented 80 lawyers.

But in Wednesday’s sitting, Mr. Saraki’s lead counsel, Kanu Agabi, told the court that 90 lawyers formed the defense team for the Senate president at the tribunal.

“We are altogether 90 of us here today”, Mr. Agabi told the tribunal shortly after the commencement of trial.

During the previous sitting, when Mr. Agabi was accompanied with 79 lawyers, he (Mr. Agabi) told the tribunal that his client was well prepared for a contest by vote, between counsels, if the need arises.

“At some point, the trial should be subjected to vote, My Lord,” Mr. Agabi told the court in an effort to buttress the fact that they had a numerical strength.

The prosecution team had about 10 lawyers at Wednesday’s sitting.

But while calling for the appearance of the 90 lawyers, it was found that scores of them were not physically present in court.

This was not the case when Mr. Saraki arrived with 80 lawyers, as all 80 of them confirmed their presence in court.

Credit: SunOnline

CCT Fixes Saraki’s Trial For April 5

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Thursday in Abuja fixed April 5 for the definite trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, charged with alleged false asset declaration.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, fixed the date after dismissing a motion by Saraki, challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him.
Umar held that the application lacked merit and thereby refused.
He ordered the prosecution to present its witnesses at the next adjourned date for commencement of trial.
While dismissing the motion, the chairman held that the tribunal had jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Umar also said that the failure of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to meet certain conditions precedents before putting Saraki on trial was not weighty enough to discharge him.
The chairman held that Section 3(b) of the CCT Act made it a requirement for any defendant to be invited for confirmation or denial of discrepancies in assets declaration.
Umar said Section 3(e) of the 1999 Constitution did not make provision for the condition precedent as provided in the CCB Act, as unconstitutional.
The chairman said that the failure of the CCB to invite the defendant in the instant case had not ousted the jurisdiction of the tribunal.
Umar, however, said whether the CCB failed to obtain a written admission from Saraki on the alleged discrepancies in his assets declaration form would be an issue that could be raised in the substantive matter.
According to the chairman, raising such an issue as a preliminary objection is premature at this stage because the charge against the defendant also bordered on allegation of corruption.
He said the case of former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, should not be cited as condition precedence because the tribunal made the decision in error.
Umar said the tribunal had since realised that it acted in error in discharging the former governor.
The chairman said that it was not out of place for the Federal Government to charge Saraki in the way it did even though he left office a long time ago.

 

(NAN)

CCT Denies Withdrawal Of Charges Against Orubebe

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, has denied the withdrawal of the charges against former of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe.

 

There were media reports , yesterday claiming that the federal government has withdrawn its charges against the accused. However, the CCT, in a statement in Abuja, said that there was nothing of such and that the reports were misleading.

 

A statement issued by the Head, Press & Public Relations, Mr. Ibraheem Al-hassan, said in part, “Our attention at the Code of Conduct Tribunal has been drawn to recent publications from some section of mass media, indicating that the Federal Government has withdrawn charges against former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Godsday Peter Orubebe.

 

“The Tribunal is compelled to refute the said publications. The purported withdrawal of the case was quoted to be based on the case being fundamentally defective. “Pursuant to the above, CCT advices that, to the best of our knowledge based on available records, as at the time of this report, the information is misleading, distortive and as such it should be ignored. “The case of Mr Godsday Peter Orubebe before CCT in Charge NO: CCT/ABJ/02/15 is on-going. What transpired in court in the last session held on 8th March, 2016 was a substitution of the initial charge with a newly filed charge by the prosecution, of which leave was sought from, and granted by the Tribunal. The case had been adjourned to 7th April, 2016. Thus; there is no withdrawal of the case by the prosecution”.

 

Credit : Vanguard

Alleged False Assets Declaration: Saraki Docked Before CCT

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The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has been docked and trial is expected to commence before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a 13 count charge of alleged false assets declaration.

 The Supreme Court, through its judgment delivered on February 5, 2016, had paved way for the trial to begin after dismissing the Senate President’s objection to the validity of the charges and the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case.

The Danladi Umar-led tribunal subsequently fixed Thursday for the commencement of the trial, but it later shifted the date to Friday, following a request by Dr. Saraki’s new lead counsel, Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN).

In the charges instituted by the Federal Government, Dr. Saraki was 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.

Credit: ChannelsTv

CCT Reschedules Saraki’s Hearing To March 11

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The Chairman Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Yakubu Umar, on Tuesday acceded to the request of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, to reschedule the hitherto fixed March 10 to March 11 for hearing.

This was contained in a letter signed by counsel to Dr Saraki, Kanu G. Agabi (SAN), forwarded to the Tribunal, dated 26thFebruary, 2016, with the heading Re: charge No. CCT/ABJ/01/2015- FRN V Dr Olubukola Abubakar Saraki, addressed to the Chief Registrar of the CCT.

The letter states ‘‘I write as lead Counsel to the above Defendant to apply that the matter which is now scheduled to come up on the 10th day of March 2016, subject to the convenience of the Honourable Tribunal and learned Counsel for the prosecution, be taken on the 11th day of March, 2016, due to my earlier and urgent commitments in other courts on the 10th.

‘‘I will sincerely appreciate the indulgence of the Tribunal to accommodate me in this way, it added.

He ended by apologising for the inconvenience caused to the Honourable Tribunal and other learned Counsel.

Credit: ChannelsTv

CCT Trial: Senators Vow To Stand By Saraki, Say Calls For His Resignation Is Mischievous

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Members of the Senate have vowed to stand by Senate President Bukola Saraki as he goes through his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT. In a statement released through its spokesperson, Abdullahi Sabi, the Senators said they maintain that his trial is a political vendetta and that calls for his resignation is premature, mischievous and unwarranted. The statement reads:

“Following a meeting held in Abuja yesterday (Sunday) by some senators and the wide consultations with our colleagues in which we reviewed last Friday’s decision of the Supreme Court in the appeal on the preliminary matters filed by the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on the charges filed against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), we hereby resolve as follows: That from the beginning of the trial last September, we have declared that this case is not about any fight against corruption. It is simply a case of political vendetta. Our position remains the same. We still believe that the case is politically motivated. We also noted that the decision of the Supreme Court given last Friday was on preliminary matters arising from the commencement of the trial. The trial proper is yet to begin. And since the fundamental principle in our legal system is that a defendant is deemed innocent until proven guilty, we have decided to patiently observe the proceedings until the case runs its full circle in the nation’s final judicial forum. It is on this ground that we want to state categorically that there is no basis for the call on the Senate President to resign until after the matter is decided in that final judicial forum. Such a call at this time is premature, mischievous and unwarranted. We therefore reiterate our support for Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the President of the Senate. We stand by him as he goes through the trial at the CCT where we believe he will be able to prove his innocence. We also call on members of the public to ignore the rantings of a few Senators who having failed to get the wish of their sponsors done on the floor of the Senate are now launching media campaign against the leadership of the Senate. We want members of the public to know that the Senate under Dr. Saraki has achieved stability in the legislative institution and we do not need any negative distraction at this point. The focus of the Senate is on the objective consideration and timely passage of the 2016 budget and we will want all Nigerians to support us as we concentrate on this important assignment. We also want to say that we will not make any further statement on this case until the matter has been decided in the final judicial forum.”

Supreme Court Dismisses Saraki’s Appeal Against CCT

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The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal of the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, against the judgment of the Appeal Court on his trial by the Code of Conduct Tribunal on charges of false asset declaration.

A seven-man bench, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, gave the judgment that the CCT was properly constituted to exercise jurisdiction over Saraki’s trial and has jurisdiction to try criminal matters.

The apex court had adjourned till February 5, 2016 to determine the appeal seeking to quash charges against the Senate President, after it entertained arguments from both Dr. Saraki and the Federal Government in December 2015.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 30, 2015, affirmed the jurisdiction of the CCT to try him and the competence of the charges of false asset declaration preferred against him by the Federal Government.

Credit: ChannelsTv

Saraki vs CCT: Details Of Supreme Court Decision

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The Supreme Court today in Abuja halted the trial of the Senate President Dr. Olubukola Abubakar Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on charges of false assets declaration.
The trial initiated by the Federal Government against Saraki was put on hold by the Apex Court pending the time the court will determine the appeal file by Saraki in which he is challenging the legality of his trial at the CCT.

 
At the hearing of Saraki’s application for stay of proceedings at the CCT, prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs ( SAN) who had earlier objected to granting of stay of proceedings made a dramatic u-turn, with an undertaken that the prosecution will not go ahead any longer with the trial of Saraki once the Supreme Court can grant accelerated hearing in the pending substantive appeal.

 
Jacobs told the panel of five justices presided over by Justice John Afolabi Fabiyi that nothing on the side of the prosecution will be done to prejudice the apex court on the pending issue of Saraki before the court.
To ensure speedy hearing of the substantive appeal, Jacobs informed the court that he will file his brief of argument against substantive appeal of Saraki by next week Monday.
He then urged the court to compel the appellant (Saraki) to also file his own brief of arguments within two days so that an earlier date could be fixed for hearing of the substantive matter of the case.

 
The u-turn made by the Federal Government suddenly overtook the earlier objection to Saraki’s application seeking a stay of the trial by CCT.
In his argument against the application of Saraki for stay of further proceeding at the tribunal, Jacobs submitted that no court of law in the country has power to grant stay of proceedings in any criminal matter in view of the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

 
He specifically said section 306 of the Act has removed the discretional and inherent powers of any court, including the Supreme Court to grant a stay of hearing in a criminal matter.

 
According to him, the motive of the legislature in enacting the ACJA was to put to an end the usual delay suffered in the prosecution of criminal matters, which had led to inability of the authority to curb corruption.

 

Earlier, counsel to Saraki, Joseph Daudu (SAN), who led seven other Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) to argue Saraki’s case had urged the apex court to stop the proceedings at the CCT pending the hearing of the substantive appeal.
Daudu told the court that the appellant is challenging the jurisdiction of tribunal and the legality of his trial at the tribunal.

 
Among others, Saraki claimed that the tribunal was not properly constituted with two members instead of three as required by law. He submitted that the apex court should put the trial at the CCT on hold pending the final determination of the main appeal.

 
Justice Fabiyi while ordering the proceedings at the CCT stopped, gave seven days each to both parties to file and exchange briefs of their arguments on the substantive appeal.

 
In line with the undertaken of Jacobs, the court ordered nothing should be done at the CCT level on the pending trial of the Senate President.
Justice Fabiyi announced that a date for hearing of substantive appeal will be communicated to parties as soon as the date is fixed.

 
Speaking with journalists after the brief ruling, Saraki’s lead counsel Mr. Joseph Daudu SAN said that the decision of the court and that of Jacobs had vindicated the decision of the lawyers who last week left the tribunal abruptly after obtaining the leave of the tribunal to withdraw from the trial.

 
With the decision of the Supreme Court, the Senate President will no longer appear at the CCT on November 19 as earlier fixed by the tribunal Chairman Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar for the trial.

 

Credit : Vanguard

Supreme Court Suspends Saraki’s Trial at CCT

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The Supreme Court this morning halted further proceedings in the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal pending the determination of the appeal filed before the court.

Justice John Fabiyi leading a five-man panel of the court made the order today, after the Federal Government’s counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had asked the court to give an undertaking that Saraki’s main appeal would be given an accelerated hearing.

Saraki’s lead counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), had argued his client’s motion for stay of the CCT’s proceedings.

In a unanimous decision read by Justice Fabiyi, the apex court ordered the tribunal “to tarry awhile.”

He ordered Jacobs to file his respondents’ brief in response to Saraki’s appellant’s brief served on him in court on Thursday within seven days.

The Supreme Court also ordered Daudu to file further response to Jacobs’ brief, if he so desired ?within seven days thereafter.

Justice Fabiyi said the date for the hearing of the appeal would be communicated to parties in due course.

The trial began 22 September and was last heard 5 November. Further hearing scheduled for 19 November, will no longer hold with today’s ruling.

The Senate president’s earlier appeal had on 30 October been dismissed at the Court of Appeal, in a split decision of 2-1 by the judges.

Justice Moore Agumanen, who read the majority verdict upheld the trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

The judges said the tribunal was properly constituted and that the tribunal led by Danladi Umar could sit with the chairman and one other member.

Agumanen said they relied on section 28 of the Interpretation Act to reach the decision.

He said the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Code of Conduct Bureau Act and the constitution did not talk about a quorum.

In a further blow to the Senate President, the majority judges said the CCT has criminal jurisdiction, though limited.

The judges also ruled that the Code of Conduct Tribunal has powers to issue a bench warrant.

The dissenting third judge, Justice Joseph Ekanem however ruled that Saraki’s appeal had merit.

 

Credit : PM News

Reps Receive Petition Against CCT Chairman

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The petition was presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Army, Rep. Shawulu Kwewum (Taraba-PDP) on behalf of Anti-Corruption Network, a civil society organisation.

Submitting the document, Kwewum alleged that former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Adoke, had recommended that two persons were to be arrested and investigated for alleged corruption.

He stated that in compliance with Adoke’s recommendation, one Ali Abdullahi was arrested and prosecuted but the other person, who is the current chairman of the CCT, was not.

“The petitioner is now seeking the house to wade into the matter with a view to seeing that the second person, Danladi is immediately arrested.

“He should be made to face the law in compliance with the recommendations of the former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice,” he stated.

According to the petition, part of the allegations levelled against the CCT chairman, include misappropriation of N1 million for his wedding and misappropriation of N4.2 million for external light bulbs.

He was equally accused of fictitious contract for the supply of office furniture and fittings in the sum of N11.4 million, among other allegations.

The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, directed that the petition be laid before the house.

Dogara ruled that the House Committee on Public Petition should take charge of the matter “for further legislative action.”

 

Credit: PM News

Orubebe Trial: CCB Fails To Produce Witness, Adjourns To Nov 26

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The trial of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged four count charge of false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70million bribe, took a dramatic turn on Monday, as the prosecution counsel failed to produce witnesses against the ex-minister.

Orubebe

After Orubebe pleaded not guilty to all the charges brought against him, the counsel to the prosecution, Ibrahim Usman, told the court, that he would like to request an adjournment since his witnesses were not in court.

The defence counsel, Selekeowe Larry, asked the tribunal to demand a statement of necessary evidences, according to rule 5 subsection 1, of the rules of the tribunal.

The tribunal judge, Umar Danladi, however, said the matter yearning for determination at the court was not for the prosecution counsel to state the evidence but for them to produce the said witnesses to do so.

He frowned at the inability of Mr. Usman and his team to produce the witnesses.

The request by Mr. Larry to have his client released on bail was not granted, as Mr. Danladi said the court had no reason to discuss his arrest or bail.

He said Mr. Orubebe was expected to always appear before the court.

Mr. Danladi ruled that the matter be adjourned till 26 November for a definite hearing.

Orubebe Docked At CCT Over False Asset Declaration, N70m Bribe

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The trial of former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over alleged four count charge of false declaration of assets and acceptance of about N70million bribe, on Monday, began in Abuja.

Justice Danladi Umar, the chairman of the Tribunal ordered Orubebe to enter the accused box immediately he entered the courtroom around 10.43 am.

The four-count charge was filed on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by Peter Danladi of the CCB on October 8, 2015.

Count one reads: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29th 2011 did make a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on 26th September 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of Part 1, Fifth Schedule to the Constitution and punishable under section 23(2) of the CCB & T Act.

Count two: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29, 2011 did make a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2059 Asokoro district, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under section 23 (2) of the CCB & T Act.

Count three: “That you Godsday Peter Orubebe while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on or about September 19, 2012 asked for and accepted the sum of fifty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota, as bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & T Act, and punishable under Section 23 (2) of CCB & T Act.

Count four: “That you Godsday Orubebe, while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about 2013 asked for and accepted the sum of twenty million naira from one Pastor (Dr.) Jonathan Alota as additional bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company Chemtronics Nigeria Limited for the construction of skill acquisition Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (N 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 10 of CCB & T Act.”

Saraki Shuts Senate As Trial Resumes Today At CCT

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Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has again shutdown the sitting of the Senate as his case at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) comes up today.

At the end of yesterday’s sitting, Saraki said the sitting has been adjourned to November 10.

In an interview, Senator Dino Melaye said the sitting was adjourned to enable adhoc committees work on their reports.

“The sitting was adjourned to Tuesday to enable four adhoc committees complete their reports and submit next week,” he said.

Saraki was alleged to have operated foreign accounts while being the Governor of Kwara State and transferred the sum of $73, 223.28 from his GTB domiciliary account to an American Express account.

Credit: DailyTrust

Judge Handling Saraki’s Case Bows Out Over Negative Reports

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Justice Ahmed Mohammed, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who heard Senate President Bukola Saraki’s ex parte application to stop the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has withdrawn from the case.

Justice Mohammed who on Wednesday, remitted Saraki’s case to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, for reassigning to another judge, cited “negative reports” on the case as informing his decision

Recall that Saraki late on September 17 had approached Mohammed to give an order halting his trial by the CCT for alleged corruption and false declaration of assets.

?The judge ordered the parties to the case – the CCT, and the ministry of justice – to appear before him on September 21. Saraki’s lawyers interpreted the order to mean the suspension of their client’s trial at the CCT.
?
The trial nevertheless went on September 21.

Mohammed said: “While it is not my intention to join issues with the authors of the said publication, I strongly feel that the records should be set straight.

“In the first instance, I have never made any restraining order against any of the defendants and in particular, the code of conduct tribunal vide a motion ex parte or any motion at all.

“Those who are conversant with the workings of this court know it is not in the habit of granting restraining orders to stop public institutions from carrying out their statutory duties?.”

CCT vs SARAKI: I Have Had My Own Share Of The Experience- Bola Tinubu

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APPARENTLY reacting to the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu yesterday said the present administration cannot overlook certain things in its fight against corruption.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Meantime, Tinubu has called on Nigerians to often put God and the nation first in their daily activities, saying “What is missing in Nigeria is lack of patriotism, dedication to God and to our people.

Tinubu, speaking after activities for the Eid-il-Kabir celebration at Dodan Barracks, praying ground, said that the ongoing anti-corruption war embarked upon by President Muhammadu Buhari will further strengthen the country’s institutions and fast track development.

This came 48 hours after Saraki appeared before the CCT in Abuja on September 22nd, 2015, claiming that he was not guilty of the charges leveled against him by the tribunal.

According to him, “It is part of nation’s development. We cannot overlook a lot of things. And we cannot personalise a lot of things as if it was vendetta. We have to endure and be patient as we look for justice, equity and a balanced society.”

He stated that to achieve a just and balanced society, the various institutions in the country must be strengthened, adding “If we do not strengthened these institutions, how can they work for the development of the nation? If we fail and result to blackmail, how can the nation reverse the decadence that is perceived in our society?”

Tinubu lamented that citizens often denigrate public officer as one who mismanage public funds allocated to his office.

The APC leader said: “Government officials are no longer believed by the citizens. When one has a public responsibility, the citizens look at it as if the source of wealth to steal and mismanage public funds and do things not included in the democratic norms and values.

‘We have to live by example and by our words. We can be talking about it alone. We have to work it without any iota of blackmail.”

The former governor recalled how he went through such trial and was later discharged and acquainted, saying; “It is not what I haven’t personally experienced.”

His words: “I have been through it. The second week I left office, I was invited by Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC. I went there and answered their questions. Later, I took them to court and I won.

Some years back, after they discovered that my asset declaration had some questions, they claim. It is only then I accused the government of being selective.”

He noted that the country had surmounted some challenges but to avoid a repeat of such, Nigerians must put the nation first and do the right thing.

Tinubu said: “Yearly, we talk about sacrificecharged me to the tribunal. I went and challenged them to show proof. I was later discharged and acquainted because there was no evidence to prove their s and perseverance of people. If we want people to persevere, from the top to the bottom, we have to demonstrate as leaders that we are very serious about nation building too.

“Our leaders should look compassionately at the suffering masses and create the demand locally and diversify our economy. Go through it at once and have a nation that we will all be proud of. Develop citizenship that will be blind to tribe or ethnicity but believe in character.

“It is worrisome that when we meet ourselves outside the country, we embrace one another but immediately we arrive in this country, we revert to ethnicity, tribalism and others. We have to develop a new character and new nation.
“Every day we talk about the potential of this country but where are we, when one looks at a country like India, they don’t have oil but they were able to build an economy for themselves that is thriving today and creating employment for the youths.
“We want everything free but we have not put emphasis on the training of our youths and retraining of our teachers to put education in forefront of investment that is necessary for this country.
“We still believe that education is the weapon against poverty. And to achieve it, we have to rededicate ourselves and make those sacrifices in order to lift the country out of poverty,” he added.

Saraki Refuses To Mount Dock At CCT

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 The trial of the Senate President, Dr. Olubukola Saraki, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja,commenced on a dramatic note this morning, with the accused person, refusing to mount the dock.

The trial tribunal, headed by Justice Danladi Umar, called up Saraki’s case at exactly 10:32am.

Following Saraki’s refusal to stand up as his case was mentioned, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Umar, demanded that he should leave his seat and enter inside the dock.

The Senate President who is currently sandwiched by his colleagues and friends inside the court, called the bluff of the tribunal by retaining his seat.

“Where is the prosecution, is the accused person here?”, Justice Umar who was looking directly at Saraki from his vantage post, queried.

“Mr lord I cannot see him. I think the first thing is for him to enter the dock first, then we will announce our appearances. After which the charge will be read to him”, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs submitted.

“With profound respect to the chairman and member of this tribunal, I agree with my learned brother that we should enter appearances first. The order of this tribunal was that the accused should be produced today. It was not for his to enter his plea. The case was earlier adjourned for mention”, counsel to Saraki, Mr. J.B. Daudu, insisted.

Read More: vanguardngr

Produce Saraki In 24hrs, CCT Orders IGP Arase

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The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to arrest and bring the Senate President, Bukola Saraki before the Tribunal on Tuesday, by 10am.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar, gave the ruling on Monday, after Saraki for the second time, failed to show up before the Tribunal.

Credit: vanguardngr