Bukola Saraki’s Asset Declaration Fraud Trial Begins Today

The trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 13 counts of alleged false assets declaration resumes today (Friday).

The Supreme Court, in a judgment on February 5, 2016, paved the way for trial to begin after dismissing the Saraki’s objection to the validity of the charges and the jurisdiction of the CCT to hear the case.

The Danladi Umar-led CCT subsequently fixed March 11 for the commencement of trial.

Already, the Federal Government has lined up 13 prosecution witnesses to testify against Saraki.

The Saraki legal team is led by Kanu Agabi (SAN). Government team is led by Rotimi Jacob (SAN).

In the charges instituted against Saraki, he is accused of making false assets declaration in forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau as a two-term Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

The Senate President, who was said to have submitted four assets declaration forms investigated by the CCB, was found to have “corruptly acquired many properties while in office as the Governor of Kwara State but failed to declare some of them in the said forms earlier filled and submitted.”

He also allegedly made an anticipatory declaration of assets upon his assumption of office as governor, which he later acquired.

He was also accused of sending money abroad for the purchase of property in London.

Saraki initially refused to appear for trial, prompting the CCT to issue a bench warrant against him. Let the case begin without any other "dribbling" so Nigerians can see the facts and consequences.