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Saraki closes defence after one witness at CCT

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
07 February 2018   |   4:24 am
The Senate President Bukola Saraki has closed its defence after calling the first witness, Dr. Ademola Adebo, during his continued trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over his alleged false assets declaration. Saraki, through his counsel, Paul Usoro (SAN), had informed the tribunal at the commencement of proceedings that he had four witnesses…

The Senate President Bukola Saraki has closed its defence after calling the first witness, Dr. Ademola Adebo, during his continued trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) over his alleged false assets declaration.

Saraki, through his counsel, Paul Usoro (SAN), had informed the tribunal at the commencement of proceedings that he had four witnesses to testify in his favour but it was not clear why he changed his mind after the first witness had testified.

Shortly after the witness was cross-examined by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, asked parties for direction for further proceedings.

Immediately, the lead counsel to Saraki, Kanu Agabi (SAN), went to confer with his client in the box.

At the end of the conversation, he announced to the court that the defence would no longer call the remaining witnesses.

He consequently applied for an adjournment to enable parties adopt their final addresses.

The tribunal chairman, on this request, accepted and consequently adjourned the matter till February 27.

Saraki was arraigned in 2015 on an 18-count charge but was discharged and acquitted on June 13, 2017 after his application for a ‘no-case submission’ was upheld by the tribunal.

However, the Court of Appeal in delivering judgment on an appeal filed by the Federal Government, nullified 15 of the charges and ordered the Senate President to return to the CCT to respond to only three counts.

Dr. Ademola, a member of the Board of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), however, insisted that he remained a member of the board since his removal was still challenged in court.

Ademola told the tribunal that there was no contradictions in Saraki’s Assets Declaration Form as regards charges four, five and six, for which the Court of Appeal asked Saraki to return to the tribunal to give explanation.

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