The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) has allowed three additional criminal charges against Senate President Bukola Saraki on Thursday, April 28, 2016.
In one of the amended charges filed against the Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), he is accused of receiving monthly salaries from Kwara State government – from 2011 to 2015 – after he had left office as governor and while he was a senator.
This claim had been circulating in sections of the media a few weeks prior and the Kwara State government had issued a statement refuting it. The government said that Saraki was paid pensions, similar to any other former governor of the state and not a salary.
The other charges is related to the 2003-purchase of a property in Ikeja, Lagos through Skyview Properties Limited, a company, the charge says belongs to Saraki.
The charges, which brings Saraki’s charges to 15 read:
“That you on or about, September 16, 2013 within the jurisdiction of this honorable tribunal did make a false declaration in the asset declaration form for public officers who you filled and submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon assumption of office as the governor of Kwara State in the year 2003 as governor of Kwara State by your failure to declare your leasehold interest in number 42, Remi Fani-kayode Street Ikeja, Lagos which you acquired through your company, Skyview Properties Limited from First Finance Trust Limited on December 12, 1996 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(1)(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C15, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1)(2),I fifth schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the fifth schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“That you between June 2011 and October 2013, within the jurisdiction of this honorable tribunal, did received monthly salaries or emoluments as governor of Kwara State and at the same time, from the federal government as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 6(a) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C15, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 2(a), Part I of the, fifth schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and tribunal act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the fifth schedule to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Paul Usoro (SAN), counsel to Saraki, had asked the tribunal not to allow the additional charges because the prosecution would need a motion to make the amendments.
Danladi Umar, chairman of the CCT, dismissed the argument and allowed the amended charges.
Umar has come under fire recently for his perceived bias against the senate president.
