Both prosecution and defence counsel have agreed on October 21, 22 and 23 for the main trial in the corruption charge against Nigeria’s Senate President, Bukola Saraki, after he appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal and pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.
Justice Danladi Umar, Chairman of the Tribunal, then adjourned sitting to allow Saraki receive proper brief of the 13-count charge against him.
In charge number ABT/01/15, dated September 11 and filed before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Saraki is accused of offences which include anticipatory declaration of assets, false declaration of assets in forms he filed before the Code of Conduct Bureau while he was governor of Kwara state.
Other charges are that the Senate President failed to declare some assets he acquired while in office as governor.
Among other offences, including allegedly acquiring assets beyond his legitimate earnings, Saraki is also accused of operating foreign accounts while being a public officer – governor and senator.
The offences, the charge said, violated sections of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
Saraki is also said to have breached Section 2 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act and punishable under paragraph 9 of the said Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
The charges were prepared by M.S. Hassan, a deputy director in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
