Proceedings now continue here at the CCT as Justice Umar takes
his seat. Defendant bukolasaraki is seated in the dock
Witness, Michael Wetkas is also in the witness boss. Defense
cross-examines him
Defense: We were looking at Exhibit 8 and the telexes most of
which where sent for Count 12
Defense: Let me refer you to pages 71, 75 and 81
Defense: those are samples relating to the count 12
Witness: specifically, yes
Defense: On the face of those telexes, could you confirm if the
card account number is there?
Witness: it isn't there
Defense: please check well
Witness: it isn't there. Card account number isn't there
Defense: where is it? That's what I am asking
Witness: silence
Defense: pls check to be very sure
Defense: for your information, the card account number is in the
count itself
Witness: the card account number is not there on any of the
telexes
Defense: the card acct no was referred to in count 12
Witness: by my own understanding the card account number isn't
there
Defense: Let's talk about the telexes. This is the doc that effects the
transfer?
Witness: correct
Defense: those are samples relating to the account
Witness: specifically, yes
Defense: the telex is the document that effects the transfer. That's
correct Michael?
Witness: That's correct
Defense refers witness to page 63 which has examples of
instructions
Witness flips to that page of the exhibit
Defense: that is an example of the request by the customer to
gtbank. Correct?
Witness: That's correct
Defense: page 63 is the standard form gtb uses Michael. That's
correct?
Witness: to my understanding, that's correct
Witness: I cannot say categorically the issue of standard form but
that is my own understanding.
Defense: let me talk about this your understanding. You said the
bank is more competent to talk about it
Witness: yes
Defense: the bank is more competent to talk about international
transfers?
Witness: That's correct
2 minutes ago
Defense: in almost all the requests, all I see is simply funding of
AMEX Card so and so....It doesn't use the word 'account'
Defense: am I correct?
Witness: My discussion with the bank...
Defense: Let's talk abt what's is on the form
Witness : the form doesn't say 'Amex Card Account'
Witness: just like I said yesterday and which you have asked me
twice if I am an expert. This transaction is specialised
Defense: My Lordship hope you are recording?
Justice Umar nods as he scribbles
Witness: That's why the head of international funds transfer of
gtbank is listed as one of the witnesses in this case #CCTvsSaraki
--------------------------------- (9)
Witness: Mr Amazu Nwachukwu, the head of gtbank Int'l funds
transfer is the witness listed here
Witness: In the course of investigation, the strength of our
position was more on the statement of account
Witness: the card account number is not there on any of the
telexes
Defense: the card acct no was referred to in count 12
Witness: the statement of account showed clear narration of
transaction carried out to the account AMEX Card Services Ltd
Defense: ur deductions came from the statement of account
Witness: more from the statement of account
Defense: More from the statement if account
Defense: in almost all the requests, all I see is simply funding of
AMEX Card so and so....It doesn't use the word 'account'
Defense: the person who can explain the entries in the telexes is
the head of intl funds transfer in gtbank?
Witness: That's correct
Witness: yesterday I told this honorable court that there are
intermidiaries
Defense: I won't disturb you more on the telexes. Please look at
the statement of account
Defense: those are samples relating to the account
Witness: specifically, yes
Defense: in the statement of d account, the only narration
recorded is swift transfer FX TRA- Dr Bukola Saraki/ AMEX Europe
Witness: That's correct.
He reads out the narration for the benefit of the judge
Defense: so in all those narrations, there is nothing that says card
account so and so. in fact card account isn't there
Witness : I have already said this more than 3 times. In the
narration, card account isn't there.
Witness: I cannot say categorically the issue of standard form but
that is my own understanding.
Defense: This is related to count 12.
Justice Adatze again cautions defense and wonders why he is
taking so much time
Witness: In the course of investigation, the strength of our
position was more on the statement of account
Defense says he is asking all these questions more for the benefit
of the prosecution
Justice Umar: We will not have any problem with that all
Usoro: thank you my Lord
Defense: just a couple more questions and I will stop
Justice Umar: How many more questions?
Defense says he will not take time. Justice Umar says 'God is
watching us
Defense calls the attention of the witness to members of the team
that conducted the investigation
Defense: You said members of your team but not you interrogated the defendant
Witness : members of a larger team
Defense: did they to your knowledge interrogate him on the
American Express transfers?
Witness: Not to my knowledge
Witness : I know he was interrogated on his properties, his assets declarations, activities of his companies
Witness: but with regards to these American Express Transfers, I'm not sure if members of the larger team asked him questions
Witness: the defendant was also interrogated on his business
interests and he made statements on them before the team
members
Defense: On the face of those telexes, could you confirm if the
card account number is there?
Defense refers witness to page 63 which has examples of
instructions
Witness flips to that page of the exhibit
Witness: less I forget my Lord, defendant also made statements on the petitions filed against him. ------------------------------
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