The trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, over alleged false declaration of assets, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal sitting in Abuja has been stalled.
This is following the filing of a further amended charge against him by the Federal Government.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Wednesday, the prosecutor announced the filing of the 18 count amended charge but the defence team raised objections to the continuation of the trial, on the ground that more time is needed by Dr Saraki and the defence team to prepare their defence.
In the amended charge, Dr. Saraki is alleged to have among other charges acquired properties at numbers 17a and 17b Mcdonald road, Ikoyi, Lagos on September 16, 2006, from the proceeds of sale of rice and sugar commodities.
But his asset declaration form reveals that the said properties were bought through a five hundred and seven million naira loan obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank.
After listening to arguments for and against the continuation of the trial, the Chairman of the Tribunal adjourned the case to February 23, 2017 to enable Dr. Saraki take a fresh plea based on the further amended charge.
On September 22, 2015, Dr. Saraki was docked before the CCT on a 13-count charge and later re-arraigned on April 28, 2016, on an amended 16-count corruption charge.
The Federal Government alleged that he made false/anticipatory declaration of assets, operated foreign accounts while in office as Kwara State governor.
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
