CCT Trial: Saraki Lied On Lagos Property - Witness Says As Trial Resumes On Monday

Punch Newspaper - Prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, in the ongoing trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, said on Monday that the claim by Saraki that he bought a property in Lagos with proceeds of sale of rice and sugar was false.

Wetkas, who was being cross-examined for the 13th day by the defence, told the Danladi Umar-led CCT that the Senate President actually bought the properties at 17A and B, McDonald Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, in 2006 with proceeds of loans he obtained from the Guaranty Trust Bank.

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Saraki is being prosecuted by the Federal Government before the CCT on 16 counts, including false and anticipatory asset declaration, which he allegedly made as governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

At the resumed hearing of the case on Monday, Wetkas was asked by the defence lawyer, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), to read from the various asset declaration forms completed by the Senate President and earlier admitted by the CCT as exhibits.

In his asset declaration form of June 3, 2011 which he submitted at the end of his second term as governor, Saraki, declared that he acquired the property in 2006, and five others in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996 and 2000 with proceeds of sales of rice and sugar.

Meanwhile, he earlier declared in his asset declaration form dated July 11, 2007 for his end of first term as governor, and at the beginning of his second term as governor, that he acquired the properties through loan worth N497m.

The witness explained that the loan initially obtained was structured to be paid quarterly in five tranches but that as the then Kwara State governor, he was obtaining additional loans from the bank which led to the subsequent restructuring of the loan.

Wetkas, as directed by the defence lawyer, also read from the GT Bank statement of the Senate President covering the period 2005 to 2015.

The bank statement was earlier admitted by the CCT as Exhibit 7.

Wetkas confirmed that Saraki obtained three loans in the sums of N380m, N380m and N400m in connection with the properties acquired by Saraki.

He said, “In 2006, the balance was N9,779,109. 79m before the loan was credited. This first loan taken was used to pay the one before. The loan amount was N380m.

“The property it was used to buy was worth N256.3m. There was five per cent charge translated into N12,815,000. It was liquidated on February 5, 2007.

“When the loan was liquidated, it took the balance to a debit balance of N231,552,804.93. Then another loan was taken of N380m on the same February 5, 2007. The second loan was taken to defray the debit. It now gave a credit balance of N98m.

“As of the 2007 declaration, there was debit outstanding of the loan of up to N300m, which was not declared in 2007 declaration. There were other inflows into account the purposes of paying.

“On August 27, 2009, the balance on the account shows an inflow into the account of N100m through banker’s cheque. On July 31, 2009, it shows that the account was in debit of about N93,933,654.15.

“After the inflow of N100m on August 27, it went into credit balance of N6,066,345.6. On April 30, 2009, the account was in debit position of N17m. The on the same date, there was loan disbursement of N400m.”

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CCT Trial: Appeal Court Humbles Saraki Again; Why We Dismiss His Case - Appeal Court Reacts

 The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki was today humbled in the Appeal court when his case,  challenging the jurisdiction of the  the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT was thrown out.

Saraki is facing trial at the tribunal for alleged false declaration of asset.

He had approached the appeal court after the CCT dismissed his application in April, challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him.

A five man panel of justices led by Abdul Aboki on Friday affirmed the decision of the tribunal and dismissed Mr. Saraki’s application for lacking in merit.

Mr. Saraki’s applications on the matter has repeatedly been dismissed by the higher courts.

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A similar petition was previously dismissed by the court, after which same was also struck out by the apex court in February 5 when the Supreme Court decided that Mr. Saraki should return to face his trial at the tribunal.

He is facing a 16-count charge brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau.

Why We Dismissed Saraki's Appeal - Court

The appeal court said its ruling was because Mr. Saraki’s trial at the tribunal, CCT, followed due process.

A five-member panel of judges led by Abdul Aboki therefore dismissed the application for lacking in merit.

The court said Mr. Saraki’s application that his trial at the CCT would not be in the interest of the public was based on sentiments.

“The charge against the appellant is according to due process; and whether it is in the interest of the public, the appellant’s submission is held with sentiments,” said Mr. Aboki.

“It will be a circumvention of justice if the court is carried away by sentiments.

“The appeal is unmeritorious, appellant’s appeal is therefore dismissed and judgement of the CCT judge Danladi Umar of March 28 is upheld and affirmed,” the court said.

The appeal court, however noted that Mr. Saraki remains innocent, until he is proven guilty by a court of law.

Mr. Saraki approached the appellate court after his appeal, challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to try him, was dismissed by the CCT in April.

He has made various applications challenging his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal since he was first charged in September, 2015.

Mr. Saraki is facing 16-count charge for alleged false declaration of asset to the Code of Conduct Bureau, while governor.

He has denied all the accusations.

The trial at the code of conduct is still on despite what seems to be a political solution to Mr. Saraki’s differences with the executive arm of government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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CCT Trial: Saraki Makes Fresh Move To Quash Charges

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has initiated a fresh move aimed at neutralising his trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

This time, he has filed a new suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking among others, to restrain CCT and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) (who are listed as respondents) from proceeding with his trial.

The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/117/2016 was filed by one Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, who claimed to be “suing as attorney to Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki”).

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The new suit, a fundamental rights enforcement application, is one of the various attempts by the Senate President to stop his trial before the CCT for alleged corruption and false assets declaration.

Saraki had challenged his trial up to the Supreme Court and lost. He has also lost past fundamental rights enforcement applications, the last being the one dismissed on April 15, 2016 by Justice Adamu Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In the new suit, the applicant seeks the court’s declaration that “the plan to resume the trial of Senator Abubakar Saraki at the CCT is a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing as guaranteed by Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He also seeks an order compelling the CCT and AGF to suspend indefinitely, any plan to resume the trial at the CCT.

Among the grounds relied on by the applicant, include that the trial at CCT was commenced at the wrong time; four years after Saraki allegedly committed the offences.

“Having regard to the aims and objectives of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and its functions in sections 2 and 3 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCBT) Act, Senator Saraki ought to have been prosecuted by the respondents long before he returned to public life again in 2015 as an elected Senator.

“Indeed, the CCBT Act never contemplated that an incumbent public office holder was already corrupt before he attained public office, otherwise, people like Senator Sraki, who had a case to answer regarding his activities between 2003 and 2011 would not have been permitted to return to public life.

“However, four years later in 2015 4enator Saraki not only returned to public life as a Senator, he went on to become the President of the Senate, Chairman of the National Assembly and Nigeria’s number three citizen.

“It is nobody’s fault that the 1st and 2nd respondents were not vigilant enough to stop or prevent Senator Sarki from attaining public office. If truly the respondents were proactive institutions of government, they ought to have prosecuted Senator Sarki immediately after he left office as Governor of Kwara State in 2011, but they never did.

“The failure, refusal and/or negligence of the respondents to prosecute Senator Saraki for the offences he allegedly committed between 2003 and 2011 before he returned again to public life as a Senator, vitiated all his past alleged misdeeds such that, as of June 8, 2015 when he was inaugurated as a Senator, he was assumed to be a public office holder without blemish in the eyes of the law and in the eyes of the respondents, otherwise they would have long since initiated proceedings against him.

“The subsequent attempt to put Senator Saraki on trial over offences allegedly committed between 2003 and 2011 are not only tainted with political mischief and desperation, they constitute a breach of his fundamental right to fair hearing,” Okponipere said.

However, the AGF, in a notice of preliminary objection, has faulted the suit and urged the court to dismiss it for lacking in merit.

The AGF noted that the subject matter of the suit did not fall within the provisions of chapter four of the Constitution, containing the guaranteed fundamental human rights.

“The appellant lacks the locus to institute this suit on behalf of Senator Saraki in the absence of any legal basis which prevents him (Saraki) from deposing to the affidavit accompanying this application himself.

“The grant of the applicant’s reliefs will constitute an abuse of court/judicial process having regard to the fact that the subject matter of this suit has been determined by the Supreme Court,” the AGF said.

When the case up for mention on September 29 before Justice Gabriel Kolawole, neither Okponipere nor his lawyer was in court, following which the judge adjourned it to November 16 for hearing.

Meanwhile, the CCT will tomorrow deliver ruling on an application by Saraki seeking that the tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar withdraws from his trial on the grounds that Umar made some remarks in the course of the trial, which Saraki considered prejudicial to his case.

Saraki’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) – a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) – had in an application filed on June 13, 2016, accused Umar of making remarks that purportedly betrayed his bias against his client during the June 7, 2016 proceedings.

Umar had, while expressing his displeasure at the delay tactics employed by Saraki’s legal team (comprising over 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria) warned that the delay strategy would not “reduce the consequences the defendant will meet in this tribunal at the end of the trial.”

At the hearing of the application on June 21, Saraki’s lawyer argued that by his statement, the tribunal Chairman had already concluded that his client would be guilty and thereby exposed to “consequences.”

In a counter argument, prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) faulted Saraki’s lawyers’ interpretation of the tribunal Chairman’s remarks.

“That I am aware that the Chairman of this honourable tribunal on the said June 7, 2016 stated clearly that his mind is open to do justice to this matter and that he has no prejudice against any of the parties.

“The statement allegedly made by the Chairman of the honourable tribunal was quoted out of context without referring to the statement made by the Chairman to the effect that his mind was open to do justice to this matter and that he has no prejudice against any of the parties,” Jacobs said.

The Nation

CCT Reverses Saraki's Trial INDEFINITE Adjournment As Public Outcry Echoes

Apparently for the public outcry that has gritted the decision of the Code of Conduct Tribunal decision to adjourn the corruption trial of the embattled President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki INDEFINITELY, the tribunal has finally fixed next Tuesday as the new date for resumption the trial.

Dr. Saraki is standing trial on a 16-count charge of alleged false asset declaration.

The tribunal on Wednesday adjourned following a request by the prosecution counsel to adjourn to allow its key witness, Micheal Wetkas, attend to another matter at the Federal High Court.

The CCT, in the statement by its head of press and public relation, Ibraheem Al-hassan, said the trails will continue between June 7 and 9.

“The decision for the adjournment to the new dates was sequel to the abrupt written request from the lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) that his PWI Mr. Michael Wetkas was scheduled to testify before the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the same date, thus; 1st June 2016,” the statement said

I Swear, Unlike Saraki's, I Was Under Pressure To JAIL Tinubu By All Means - CCT Chairman

The Nation - The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, said yesterday that the tribunal and its members were subjected to “serious influence” during the trial of a former Lagos State Governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Umar said, unlike what obtained during the Tinubu trial, the tribunal was not under any external influence or interference in its handling of the trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

“I want to say that in the case of Bola Tinubu, we were under serious influence, but we did what we had to do and discharged him. So we must be fair to ourselves not to delay this trial.

“The insinuation that we are being influenced in this case is not true. We are all answerable to Allah, when we breathe our last,” Umar said.

Tinubu was taken before the tribunal in 2011 for allegedly operating foreign accounts while serving as governor between 1999 and 2007. The charge was struck out, following which he was discharged.

Umar said he was guided by his conscience, the urge to do justice and the belief that everyone is answerable to Allah (GOD) when he dies.

The CCT Chairman spoke at the resumption of Saraki’s trial yesterday. He was reacting to insinuation in the media that the tribunal was being influenced to give a guilty verdict against Saraki.

The second member of the tribunal, William Agwadza Atedze, frowned at attempts to tarnish the reputation of the tribunal’s members through sponsored media publications.

“At the weekend, there was an article in the paper about me. It was titled: ‘CCT and the bird of the same feather.’ The author is taking on the wrong person, I do not keep quiet.

“The insinuation that we have been compromised is not true. Adebayo Adelodun and Yusuf Ali (two senior lawyers in Saraki’s legal team) were my classmates at ABU (Ahmadu Bello University). I am very outspoken and I have not changed.

“When they say one member of the bench is not contributing enough, do you want us to be fighting on the Bench or disagreeing in the open? The Bench is not a motor park. When we do not agree on any issue we resolve it in the office.

“This is not about the headship of Senate. This is not about an individual. It is about the country. This country is on its knees. Today, we cannot buy common tomatoes in the market. This is about the country. It is not about an individual. This case is a watershed, no matter which way it goes at the end of the day,” Atedze said.

Responding, leader of Saraki’s legal team Kanu Agabi (SAN) admitted that the defence had before yesterday expressed fear about the proceedings. He said they were now assured that justice would be done since the tribunal Chairman has placed the proceedings before God.

Agabi said: “There is nothing lawyers fear most than prejudice. We are glad that you have declared that you fear God and committed this proceedings to God.

“Prejudice ought not to have a place in the law court, but today it is. Because you have called the name of God, may God guide you. I pray for you everyday that God should protect you. You are a young man, handling a critical issue in our nation’s life,” Agabi said.

Lead prosecution lawyer Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) urged the tribunal members to ignore the impression being created about them in the media and not be bothered by it.

“It is not only this tribunal and its members that they are writing about. They have also written all sorts of things about us. It is what we are subjected to everyday,” Jacobs said.

He said Agabi’s claim that they fear prejudice was uncalled for. He said: “All the rulings of this tribunal have been upheld by the appellate courts. So, where is the claim of prejudice?

“We have nothing to hide. We cannot tell lies against anybody. I cannot ask my witness to tell lies. We mention more of God in this country but we do less of God. That is our problem,” Jacobs said.

Later, under cross-examination by Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Usoro (SAN) first prosecution witness, Michael Wetkas insisted yesterday that investigation revealed that the Senate President made false declarations in the asset declaration forms he submitted while in office as Kwara State governor.

Wetkas, who insisted that Saraki made anticipatory declaration in 2003 in respect of the property he acquired on 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, said the property was only sold by the government in 2006.

He said the property declared by Saraýki as 15A and B, McDonald Road , Ikoyi, Lagos, on assuming office as Kwara State Governor in 2003 was the same as 15, McDonald Road Ikoyi, Lagos.

The witness added that the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Sale of Federal Government’s Properties confirmed that15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, was sold to Saraki’s company, TinyTee Limited.

He noted that Saraki had, in the form he submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) on assumption of office in 2003, claimed that he acquired 15A and B, Mcdonald Ikoyi, ýLagos, through Carslise Properties Limited.

“I have always said it in my evidence about 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi. We maintain our position that that property was one and the same property that the implementation committee wrote to us about. The implementation committee did not tell us that there existed15 A and B separately.

“The Managing Director of Carlisle Property, Sule Izuagbe, also talked about 15 McDonald as the property belonging to the defendant (Saraki) and the defendant in the asset declaration which he made in 2011 and 2015, declared the property as 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi; he no longer said 15A and B.

“That is why we maintained the same position that it is the same property.  The nomenclature is just as the convenience of the defendant,” the witness said.

He confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy for 15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi, was issued in the name of TinyTee Limited and not in Saraki’s name.

Wetkas also confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy with November 26, 2006 as its commencement date was issued by the ýthen Minister of Housing and Urban Development ýand not the implementation committee.

He said, in the course of investigation, he did not come across any document signed by Saraki in relation to the Ikoyi property.

On how he concluded that the property belonged to Saraki, Wekas said his conclusion was informed by his finding that the property on 15 McDonald Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was paid for by Saraki through the bank accounts of two other companies which Saraki had declared his interest in.

He also said the Managing Director of two of Saraki’s companies – Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited and ýSky View Properties – Mr. Sule Izuagbe, confirmed that the payment for the property was made on the instruction given by the Senate President.

“We believe that the property was bought for the defendant. The property was paid for through the account of Carlisle Properties and Investment Limited and Skyview Properties. Skyview and Carlisle belong to the defendant and he declared them as his companies.

“The sum of N125million was taken from Skyview’s account with Access Bank out of which N123.73million amounting to 75 per cent of the price of the property was paid for the property.ý”

He said ý N125million was a loan obtained by Saraki through the account of Skyview’s account with Access Bank.

Wetkas added that the offer letter for the loan was signed for on behalf of Skyview by Saraki’s wife, Toyin.

“The Managing Director of Carlisle and Skybiew, Izuagbe, said the payment for the property was directed by the defendant.

“Izuagbe listed the property (15, McDonald Road, Ikoyi) as part of the properties he was managing on behalf of the defendant.

“The defendant also declared the property in his asset declaration forms of 2011 and 2015.That was the basis for our conclusion that the property belonged to the defendant,” the witness said.

In an effort to distinguish Saraki from the companies, Usoro argued that it was wrong for Wetkas to conclude that the property acquired by companies in which Saraki had interests could be considered his personal property.

He stated that Carlisle and Skyview were both limited liability companies and possess separate personalities from that of the shareholder.

Jacobs interjected and argued that: “The defendant was asked to declare in the asset form the assets he acquired, including the ones he got through nominees. He himself declared the property as his. The issue of legal personality does not arise in view of the asset declaration regime in Nigeria. They don’t go to any issue.ý”

Also, Usoro faulted the prosecution’s claim in count 11 of the charge, in which Saraki was accused of failing to declare his liability of N375million loan he obtained from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in January 2010.

Usoro said the Senate President was not bound to declare the N375 million as his liability because as of the time he made his end of tenure asset declaration as governor on June 3, 2011 was about N36million.

Answering question from Usoro, Wekas said while it was true that that the debit balance on the account was N36million as of May 31, 2011, Saraki failed to declare the property he allegedly acquired in London with the loan.

“There are two issues. The issue of the loan and the issue of property he used the loan to buy in London.

“Our position is that we are aware that the outstanding balance was not N375million but N36,042,202.04 as at that date.

“But if that loan was taken for something else apart from property, we would not have made an issue out of it.

“But it was taken to buy a property. Our position is that, that property should have been declared in this asset declaration form of 2011. “And if it was declared in the asset declaration form, the source of how the property was acquired would have been declared that the money was sourced through loan,” Wetkas said.

Hearing resumes today.

CCT Trial: Jittery Saraki In All Night Secret Meeting With Buhari, APC Leaders At Aso Rock

A very crucial meeting, which may not be unconnected with the trial of the embattled President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki yesterday held at the Aso Rock, Abuja, News Punch understands

The meeting, which was also reported by The Nation Newspaper has it that President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night held a closed door meeting with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting started around 9.13 p.m when the President arrived the First Lady Conference Room, venue of the meeting.

Those at the meeting when it started included Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

Others include Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari and Senate Leader, Ali Ndume.

Also at the meeting were the National Chairman of APC, John Odegie-Oyegun, Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, and former Minister of Information, Tony Momoh.

The meeting was also attended by the APC Deputy National Chairman North, Shuaibu Lawali, and APC Deputy National Chairman South, Segun Oni.

The meeting was in progress at the time of filing this report.

However, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a prominent Chieftain of the APC was not in attendant.

Saraki is facing corruption trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on 15-count charge over assets fraudulent assets declaration

BREAKING: Saraki Turns Perceptual Loser As Suit To Disqualify CCT Chairman Also Thrown Out

The motion filed by Senate President Bukola Saraki's Cancels asking the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribuna Chairman, Danladi Umar to disqualify elf from the trial has been thrown out by the tribunal, just like other suits earlier filed by the embattled President of the Senate.

Justice Danladi Umar throws out application asking him to disqualify himself for lack of merit.

Below is the tribunal proceeding where the motion was thrown out by Justice Umar

Rotimi Jacobs rises for the prosecution

Prosecution takes his seat and Paul Usoro rises. Says Ajibola Oluyede will speak

Umar: this motion was dated 19/4/2016. Application says the Chairman of the CCT should remove himself from the trial of Saraki

Justice Umar is reading out submissions presented by Oluyede on d application he filed asking CCT Chairman 2 disqualify himself

Umar is reading out his ruling on the self disqualification application filed by Saraki's lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede

Justice Umar is still reading out the submissions by both Rotimi Jacobs and Oluyede on his self disqualification application

Umar: the tribunal having analysed submissions across parties and concluding that this is a situation where the applicant is challenging the competence of the Chairman

Umar: the question to ask here is: does the Attorney-General have powers to investigate? The answer is no!

Umar: is the Chairman of the CCT undergoing trial by the EFCC? No!

Umar: the discretion of who , how, when and how to prosecute lies with the Attorney-General

Umar: only a body instituted by law and vested with the power to investigate says there is a case against a person

Umar: only then does the Attorney-General have the power to investigate

Umar: only then does the Attorney-General have the power to prosecute

Umar: the letter written to the Attorney-General giving directive for prosecution was an interim report

Umar: thereafter EFCC continued with investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation,

Umar: the EFCC said the matters raises against the Chairman of the CCT were mere suspicions

Umar: it is clear that he who alleges, must prove. In this case, the petitioner couldn't prove that Justice Umar

Umar: called him asking for bribe. It was on this premise that the EFCC said there is no sufficient evidence against Umar

Umar: it should be noted that the EFCC isn't answerable to the Attorney-General of the Federation

Umar: it is only when sufficient evidence has been provided that the EFCC can prosecute a case thru its prosecuting counsels

Umar: the EFCC has the power to say that the person they investigated has no case to answer and to issue letter of clearance

Umar: which is what happened in this matter

Umar: the current Attorney-General of the Federation says that it can't prosecute the case against the Chairman of the CCT

Umar: by virtue of the letter by the EFCC stating lack of sufficient evidence against the CCT Chairman

Umar: finally, it is to be noted that the EFCC letter of March 2016 supersedes the letter of June 2014

Umar: and is therefore dismissed in its entirety

Saraki's Trial: The Drama, The Proceedings, The Conversation At CCT Today (3)

Oluyede : my learned counsel misquoted that decision when he said an investigation is not trial
Umar : what did the judgement say?
Oluyede : it says that from the moment a person is charged, the position of innocent till pronounced guilty
Oluyede : what we are asking is, why is the EFCC holding a sword of damocles over your Lordship?
Oluyede : Why hasn't the EFCC written to the Attorney-General asking for exoneration for Justice Danladi?
Prosecution : defense should state the law and stick to it. Law to law. Oluyede is only re-arguing his case
Umar to Oluyede : is the Attorney-General an investigator?
Oluyede: No
Umar: A letter from the EFCC exonerated the CCT Chairman
Oluyede: unfortunately it didn't. EFCC said 'as at now
Prosecution: My learned friend knew the futility of his application. My Lordship should accept that
Oluyede: I would defend your Lordship anywhere but I am asking why doesn't EFCC clear your Lordship? It is wrong
Umar: it is as a result of this that the HOR invited the Attorney-General by virtue of the Network of Corruption
Oluyede : I am not aware of this but I believe your Lordship
Umar: I appeared before that committee thrice but the petitioners didn't appear
Umar : ordinarily, that should be thrown out but the Chairman of that Committee refused to throw that petition out
Umar: I am just a chairman of that tribunal. I am no body. This position is a responsibility endowed on by God
Umar: God is watching me. I am conscious of the fact that He will take away this position from me if I don't do it right
Umar: Thank God the Attorney-General came with this letter from the EFCC dated March 2015
Umar: and said that by virtue of the content of the letter which are based on suspicions, he is incapacitated to prosecute
Umar: the Attorney-General has the power to decide who to prosecute and how to prosecute. That is the situation of the case
Oluyede : I would have asked that Attorney-General what he has to say that the Judge sat down in private with the defendant
Oluyede : There is something wrong with the EFCC!
Oluyede : all the evidence given in this case are from the EFCC. The same EFCC continues to hold a sword over the judge
Oluyede : this same EFCC. How can we allow that to happen in our country?
Prosecution : this matter is very simple. I urge your Lordship to speak during your rulings
Oluyede: I object
Oluyede : Prosecution has no right to tell the judge how to conduct his ruling. I know why your Lordship is saying wt u are
Oluyede : whether Saraki remains Senate President or not, CCT will continue
Rotimi : My Lord, he is making political statement
Umar: I don't want to repeat what I didn't last week.
Oluyede : I don't want my Lord to repeat it
Umar: I will adjourn this case....
Oluyede : if your Lord doesn't want me to speak

...to be CONTINUES

Saraki's Trial: The Drama, The Proceedings, The Conversation At CCT Today (2)

...continued from page ONE

Prosecution : in Exhibit RJ2, on 20th April 2016, EFCC wrote that they have no case against your Lordship

Prosecution: Luckily for us, the letter was written during GEJ’s admini otherwise it would be tagged 'political persecution'

Prosecution: the defense wants to be accorded presumption of innocence but doesn't want to extend same to your Lordship

Oluyede: interrupts the prosecution and says the prosecution is repeating what he said

Prosecution says he never mentioned 'presumption of innocence'

Prosecution: defense cites the case of BAT and says the authenticity of what he attached can't be challenged (laughs)

Prosecution: the prosecution says I can't raise the issue of certification, citing BAT Nig Ltd & Int'l Tobacco

Prosecution: even in the case, it was said that the credibility can be challenged

Prosecution : and the court must be satisfied that those public docs are credible and true

Prosecution: the docs he tendered qualify as public docs under section 102 of the evidence Act

Prosecution : those docs are only admissible if they are certified

Prosecution: My Lord they must comply with Section 104 of the Evidence Act before your Lordship can use them

Prosecution : this matter was contested btw Alamieyesigha and FRN. That case involved myself and some senior lawyers

Prosecution reads that affidavits tendered in that case were copies

Prosecution: It was reported in 2006, Part 1004, Page 113 of the Nigerian Legal Report

Prosecution: Your Lordship will see that the futility of this application is to harass the Chairman of this Tribunal

Umar: anyone who harasses the Chairman of the CCT will be held in contempt

Prosecution: Again I commend your Lordship for utilising the power of contempt sparingly

Prosecution : My learned counsel hasn't proved any issue of cloudy relationship that exists btw the EFCC and your Lordship

Prosecution : I have taken it in good faith that Oluyede abused me. May God bless him

Prosecution: I will urge your Lordships to take it in good faith that it is one of those things when trying to deliver justice

Prosecution: Your Lordship's life has fruits and that is why it is being attacked

Prosecution: I even put it in our affidavit that they wanted to amend the CCB Act

Prosecution : it is only in this nation that leadership can be facing trying and the law setting up the CCB will be amended

Oluyede protests and says prosecution's statements are irrelevant

Prosecution : it's been series and series of harassment. Why? No one is above the law. Attempt is made to depower the tribunal

Oluyele: I will not sit back and allow my learned friend to talk about issue not before this tribunal

Oluyede : whether the NASS does its duty or not has nothing to do with the justice to be dispensed at this tribunal

Oluyede : Your Lordship cannot go outside what is before him. The only thing you can consider is what is before you

Oluyede : Your Lordship cannot on your own imagine what is going on in the NASS

Prosecution : I refer my Lordship to paragraphs 16,17 & 18 of our affidavits on harassment here and there

Prosecution : We must follow due process. By filing frivolous application, Oluyede prompted my submission

Prosecution : I want your Lordship to dismiss it

Oluyede: the judgement of Suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/905/2015 didn't decide the issue of the likelihood bias

Oluyede : and we are not rehashing an issue that has already been decided

Oluyede : the judge never went to the demerits of the case but spoke on constitutional safeguards

Oluyede : In page 12, the judge now asked that we bring the case before the CCT

Oluyede : there are safeguards in our laws to ensure that the applicant's right to fair hearing isn't encroached upon

Prosecution : We have come here to say that Your Lordship shouldn't be sitting on this case

Umar: you have made your submissions

Oluyede: I don't know if your Lordship recorded what I said that the FHC refered us to u

Umar: is that a fact?

Oluyede: it is a judgement and judgement is law

Umar: it is time for prayer and I would suggest we go for break so the bench goes back to write it's ruling

Oluyede: is your Lordship suggesting that I break?

Prosecution : I think we shd continue

Umar : continue

Oluyede: even if it was true that the lead counsel for some reason wasn't aware of the application

Oluyede: or didn't even consent or approve due to confliction, it is immaterial

Oluyede: Because any counsel that is briefed by a party to a proceeding is entitled to act in accordance to the instruction

Oluyede: of his client even if there are thousands of other counsels involved in the matter

Oluyede: and that is the position of the Supreme Court in the case of Edozien vs Edozien reported in 1993

Oluyede explains that a senior counsel is bound by the position of a junior counsel after the former has been briefed

Oluyede reads that the number of counsels that appear in a case depends often on the complexity of the case

Oluyede also reads that all those briefed have the right to conduct the matter in an ethical manner

Oluyede says Justice Umar has the right to ask the defendant if he briefed him or if he is a busy body

Umar says he doesn't believe Oluyede will lie to him. Oluyede thanks him for 'believing in him today

Oluyede says he wasn't briefed by the lead counsel Kanu Agabi but was briefed on the case by the defendant

Oluyede draws Umar ' s attention document attached as exhibit to the affidavit from which he has already read to his Lordship

Oluyede says the affidavits are not certified true copies but nevertheless, d prosecution hasn't challenged their authenticity

Oluyede : by the counter affidavit filed by the prosecution, they have proved their authenticity

Oluyede refers the tribunal to paragraph 7 of the counter affidavit filed by the prosecution

Oluyede : it is clearly stated here your Lordship. EFCC clearly stated 'the facts as they are now

Oluyede: Your Lordship must understand our position because the EFCC holds a sword of Damocles over Justice umar

Oluyede: Your Lordship look at that application not from a technical eye but from the eye of d ordinary Nigerian on the street

Oluyede says all Rotimi Jacobs is known for is prosecuting cases from the EFCC

Oluyede : Guess what your Lordship. The whole international community is aware of this case

Oluyede: only d Attorney-General d can exonerate a man. After he has said prosecution shd proceed, EFCC refuses 2 do anything

Oluyede: and we say we are fighting corruption. How can we be fighting corruption with corruption?

Prosecution protests that Oluyede is casting aspersions on his person and has spoken for long

Umar says even the Attorney-General cannot proceed with prosecution without evidence

Rotimi Jacobs says Oluyede has spoken for a long time. Oluyede says if Justice Umar asks him to sit down, he will sit

Umar: don't sit down

The court bursts into laughter

Oluyede says he respects Justice Umar alot and that his own father sat on the seat Umar is sitting on

Justice Umar says Oloyede's father is also his father. Oluyede says Umar is his brother

Oluyede says justice mustn't just be done. It must be seen to be done

Oluyede says the legitimacy of the proceedings should worry Justice Umar

Oluyede : no one is saying your Lordship is guilty. Your Lordship may be the most honorable person on the bench

Oluyede : but in this matter, it doesn't matter any more. It is about justice and perception of the general public

Oluyede : Justice isn't subjective. It is what is perceived to be justice.

Oluyede: it's not what the court or prosecution thinks. It's what the people think

Oluyede: I didn't cite any of the rulings you have made against my client. All I know that EFCC is prosecuting a case against

Oluyede : my client before this tribunal

Umar: is it EFCC or the Attorney-General?

Oluyede : you see my Lord, technicalities

Oluyede: all I know is that my Lordship is sitting on a panel hearing a case brought by EFCC when he has a case against EFCC

Oluyede: that we are not ready to go to court doesn't mean my Lordship is exonerated.

Oluyede: it may mean that they are waiting for MTN call log to proceed

Umar: you have 2 minutes

Oluyede: It has been brought to my attention that my Lordship is no longer recording my submissions

Umar: it's not everything that I will record

Oluyede: the perception of the reasonable man is that your Lordship is not free from possible intervention of the EFCC

Oluyede: whatever that might mean, it behooves a cloud that offends against section 36 of the constitution

Oluyede : it is for that reason we submit that the continued presence of Hon. Justice Umar on the panel removes the guarantee

Oluyede: that every accused person is entitled to that the tribunal he is tried before will act independently or impartially

Oluyede: I hope the tribunal will grant this application

Prosecution takes over.

Prosecution : We shall be relying on the entire paragraphs in the affidavit we submitted and on the various exhibits attached

Prosecution: identified as RJ1- RJ5.

Prosecution: Your Lordship will recall that the 1st attack on the composition of this panel was made by Mogaji Daniel

Prosecution : that attack travelled from this tribunal to Supreme Court and led to the case referred to as 'Saraki and FRN

Prosecution: which was reported in 2016 through Nigerian Legal Report

Prosecution: We came back from the Supreme Court and there was another great challenge that it is EFCC prosecuting this case

Prosecution: and not the code of conduct bureau

Prosecution: Your Lordship ruled that CCB referred the matter to this tribunal and that the tribunal has jurisdiction

Prosecution:....to entertain the charge

Prosecution: My Lord, that same issue, the defendant appealed to the court of Appeal

Prosecution: and ur Lordship will see from our counter affidavit (exhibit RJ5). From RJ5, you will see issue 6

Prosecution: before the Court of Appeal that the CCB lacks the competence to delegate powers to EFCC

Prosecution: and that EFCC cannot prosecute a matter before this tribunal

Prosecution: Rather than await the outcome of the decision of Court of Appeal,

Prosecution: the defense now filed this application for your Lordship to disqualify himself

Prosecution: My Lord I want you to also look at the affidavit in support of the defense ' s application

Prosecution: all the defense said in his affidavit is that EFCC is a party before this tribunal

Prosecution: Defense is saying that since a party is investigating the chairman of the tribunal

Prosecution: the impression of the reasonable man is that he cannot get justice

Prosecution: My Lord, if u look at d only issue formulated in his written address, he has shown the purport of his application

Prosecution: which is ongoing investigation by the EFCC, the he can't get justice

Prosecution: the defendant raised this issue b4 the Federal High Court through the same lawyer

Prosecution: We attached exhibit RJ3 which is the judgment of the Federal High Court

Prosecution: My Lord in RJ3, in the judgement, the defendant lost. From page, the CCT is a competent tribunal

Prosecution: which derives it's powers from the CCT Act. There are safeguards in our law to protect the accused

Prosecution: the prosecution must prove his case beyond all reasonable doubt and the CCT is duty bound

Prosecution: to give the accused a fair hearing

Prosecution: with all due respect, Oluyede's case defies logic. A criminal investigation is just an investigation

Prosecution : investigation remains investigation. It is not trial.

Prosecution : Your Lordship is not under any trial and hasn't been convicted.

Prosecution: Even those under trial have been enjoying their life. The defendant here is still performing his duty as Senator

Prosecution: The defendant is still the Senate President.

Prosecution: what he is saying is the defendant who is charged should continue to enjoy his office

Prosecution: but your Lordship who hasn't been charged should step aside. What absurdity in this application

Prosecution: Prayer 5 is talking about political motive which is a matter of sentiment that has no place in law

Prosecution: the defense has been carrying this from one court to another. He knows!

Prosecution: and the case has been dismissed by the court of Appeal. Oluyede has never appeared b4 this court

Prosecution: as at the time he filed this motion whether as a junior counsel or as a lead counsel

Prosecution: as at the time he filed this motion whether as a junior counsel or as a lead counsel

Prosecution: he wasn't the counsel on record as at the dates he filed this motion on notice

Prosecution: it was before this court that the lead counsel said he wasn't aware of the motion

Prosecution: the law of progression is that of order and decency and we are guided by our rules

Prosecution : My learned friend cited some authority that once briefed a counsel is bound to do his job. That is true

Prosecution : 90 lawyers appear for the defense in this case. Imagine where 89 of them file applications in this case

Prosecution: that is the absurdity of this case. The defendant isn't entitled to more than 1 counsel at a time

Prosecution: by section 349 (7) of ACJA, it was Mr Kanu Agabi that was engaged by the defendant and led other SANs for him

Prosecution : it is that counsel that is bound to conduct proceedings in this tribunal unless this tribunal for special reasons

Prosecution: allow him to do so and he must do so 3 days ahead.

Prosecution: Another counsel can't just file an application from nowhere when he knows the other counsel is still there

Prosecution : We must be given 3 days interval

Prosecution : Edozien vs Edozien cited by Oluyede is a civil case that has no base in criminal proceedings

Prosecution : My Lord, Oluyede based his case on the assumption that EFCC is a party b4 this tribunal

Prosecution: My Lord the parties b4 this tribunal are Federal Republic of Nigeria and Dr Olubukola Saraki. Only those 2

Prosecution : EFCC not being a party to this proceeding, it will be a clear misconception of the law to argue

Prosecution : that since one of the parties is investigating the CCT Chairman, then your Lordship should disqualify himself

Prosecution: that is total misconception of the law. Counsel just cited authority without application

Prosecution: I am afraid of this issue of parties because of the motion filed in the Court of Appeal

Prosecution: the applicant is asking this tribunal to decide the issue that is b4 the court of Appeal

Prosecution: as to whether the EFCC is the one prosecuting this case

...proceed to page THREE to continue READING

Text Excerpted from Kenny Ola Adebanjo's facebook Post

Saraki's Trial: The Drama, The Proceedings, The Conversation At CCT Today

Justice Umar greets everyone and says 'I think it's about time we proceeded with the matter of the day
Court clerk reads out the case before the tribunal. bukola saraki takes to the accused box.
Justice Umar asks for a seat to be made available for the defendant. That has been quickly provided
Lead prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs reads out the names of other counsels appearing in court with him
6 lawyers are appearing in court for the prosecution
Lead defense counsel, Kanu Agabi now takes his turn to read out names of counsels appearing with him
Raphael Ajibola Oloyede, the lawyer who clashed with Justice Umar is in court. Umar addresses him as 'my very good friend'
Agabi asks Oloyede to bow to the judge and reiterates 'your very good friend'
Agabi: My Lord, when you greeted us all a good morning, it really touched my soul. God bless you and today be good to us'
Kanu Agabi continues reading out the names of counsels appearing with him
Paul Usoro, who has been leading the cross examination for the defense is noticeably absent in court
There is no word yet as to whether Paul Usoro will make an appearance in court or if Agabi will handle the cross examination
Kanu Agabi mispronounces a counsel's name and Justice Umar corrects him. Agabi says : 'My Lord you know these things better
Agabi now launches into a story of how high office holders attract enemies. He makes sure to throw in a few Bible quotes
Agabi: 'We all have enemies. Even Prophet Muhammed had enemies'
Agabi: I have come to court to beg to be allowed to attend to my medical appointment. I have a medical appointment
Agabi: I talked to Rotimi but he didn't say a word
Justice Umar says he wants Agabi to live for a thousand years and says as people age, they require constant medical check up
Justice Umar to Agabi: We will thank things very gently. I won't stress you so as not to aggravate your situation
Justice Umar: We will take it easy on you and treat you very very gently, just like a toddler
Agabi: Thank you my Lord
Umar: calls on lead prosecution counsel to state where we are in court for
Rotimi Jacobs mentions the motion filed by Oluyede on behalf of the defendant and continuation of cross examination of Wetkas
Justice Umar to Agabi: are you aware of motion filled by Oluyede and have you sanctioned it?
Justice Umar to Agabi : you are the lead counsel and your authority binds all counsels under you
Agabi: this is a motion filled on behalf of the defendant
Umar: Do you think it's okay for this motion to be filled without consulting you?
Agabi: I was consulted
Umar: counsels shouldn't be involved in gimmicks. We are ministers here
Agabi: My Lord a court of law is for those in distress. Certainly the possibilities for error in court is possible
Agabi: That is why Judges like you should be very patient
Umar: Do you sanction this motion? Should I put it on record?
Agabi: This motion is the defendant's motion. It is not my motion. That's all I have to say
Umar: so you have sanctioned it?
Agabi: it doesn't require my sanction
Umar : you are sanctioning for the motion to be heard?
Agabi: oh yes
Umar : 'we have observed that some armed security agents are often inside the premises of tribunal
Umar: such security agents with long range rifles will henceforth stay outside the tribunal.
Umar: second, we discovered that some people are using ipads and pics of certain events taking place during trial
Umar: sometimes there are biased reports of what happened in court
Umar : it is unlawful for anyone to take clips of the proceedings
Umar: anyone with the intention of taking clips of certain events during trial should desist from doing so
Umar: if it is the interest of the general public for the trial to be televised, I will grant that request
Umar: that will disabuse the minds of certain members of the public that some people are not being honest
Umar: We are here to do what is right. We don't belong to anybody here
Agabi: God sees the heart and knows that my prayer in this matter is not for victory but for peace & harmony in Nigeria
Agabi: By God's grace, you are in the remarkable position to make that peace the nation needs
Agabi: I have prayed for the spirit of harmony and peace to prevail. There is a price to be paid for that
Agabi: That is why I have urged you not to be angry. Anger is of the devil
Agabi: don't expect not to be troubled. You will be
Agabi: but generations yet to come will adore you if you handle this matter in a humane manner
Agabi: you should be an advocate of peace, My Lord. I beg you
Agabi: Let all these lawyers appearing before you say that Danladi Umar is an apostle of peace & justice
Prosecution: your Lordship will remember that at the beginning, this matter was broadcast live till some people protested
Prosecution : We are interested in the justice of the case and that should be paramount in the mind of everyone
Prosecution: there can be no peace without justice.
Prosecution: the only impediment to further cross examination is Oluyede's motion. It will need to be dealt with first
Prosecution: the motion says there is your Lordship is undergoing investigation by the EFCC and EFCC is involved in this matter
Prosecution: let the defense move their application and we will argue it
Umar: you just heard the lead defense counsel say he wasn't aware of it
Prosecution: My Lord we are aware that the lead defense counsel said he wasn't initially aware of the motion but is now aware
Umar: Let's proceed please
From all indications, it seems the motion filed by Oluyede will be heard first by the court .

...proceed to page TWO to continue READING

Text Excerpted from Kenny Ola Adebanjo's facebook Post

Buhari Honours Ekweremadu At Book Launch

Despite the ongoing political imbroglio, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly will honour an invitation by the Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu.

Ekweremadu's book, titled, ‘Who will Love my Country: Ideas for Building the Nigeria of Our dreams,’ will be presented on Wednesday 27the April 2016, and Buhari will be one of the guests, contrary to reports that the President had vowed never to have anything to do with Ekweremadu who is an opposition occupying a position the President believed ought to occupy by his party, All Progressives Congress, APC

The presidency, sources said, vowed not to have anything to do with Ekweremadu, who it believed usurped a position that should have been occupied by an All Progressives Congress, APC Senator.

Senator Ike Ekweremadi is also a leading senator who may eventually become Nigerian first Senate President from opposition party, following the CCT Trial of the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki

But fresh report according to Nigerian Pilot suggests that President Muhammadu Buhari among many other eminent Nigerians will attend a book launch, written by Ekerema.

Others to who are billed to be at the event are; former head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, Senate President Bukola Saraki and speaker of the House of Representatives are among eminent Nigerians billed to grace the public presentation of the book, ‘Who will Love my Country: Ideas for Building the Nigeria of Our dreams,’ authored by the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

The event slated for Wednesday is also expected to feature a dialogue where notable academics and technocrats will share their views on the broad themes of the book.

These personalities include Prof Pat Utomi, founder, Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Sam Egwu of the Department of Political Science, University of Jos, and His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Making the disclosures on Monday at the Senate Press Centre while addressing a press conference, chairman of the organising committee, Professor Amucheazi, flanked by other members of the committee, further disclosed that the book was Ekweremadu’s modest attempt at dissecting the problems facing Nigeria, with a view to sharing his own ideas on the way forward.

While emphasising that the book was also meant to challenge leaders and all Nigerians to find creative solutions to the myriad of problems confronting the country, Amucheazi further said: “The ideas he (Ekweremadu) expressed in the book are generally to beseech Nigerians to engage in good faith discourse on how to make the Nigeria project work for all of us.”

He added that “it is hoped that this intellectual discourse will provoke ideas that will boost governance at all levels for the benefit of all Nigerians. We solicit your support to make the occasion a success.”

On why the book presentation was coming now, the professor of Law further said: “The book presentation was initially scheduled to take place immediately after the 2015 general elections. The author however had to revisit the book due to the non-assent to the 4thAlteration Constitution (Amendment) Bill. The presentation is now scheduled to hold on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at the International Conference Centre at 1pm prompt.”

Saraki's Successor: 10 APC Senators Strike Deal To Support Ekweremadu, See Names of Senators Involved

The struggle to succeed the embattled President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki took an anticipated direction at the weekend as 10 of the ruling All progressives Congress, APC Senators have secretly struck a deal with Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Daily Trust Newspaper reported on Sunday.

According to our Source, the Daily Trust, the 10 APC Senior lawmakers allegedly entered into a secret agreement with Ekweremadu should the current trial of the incumbent, Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal consume him. Daily Trust reported that Saraki's resignation or sack is imminent, mush more reason the tribunal is accelerating the prosecution.

The deal to back Ekweremadu was reportedly sealed when the 10 diehard pro-Saraki APC senators held a meeting with their PDP counterparts and discussed their next line of action should the Senate President is forced to step down. At the end of the meeting, they agreed that Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu would be put forward to replace Saraki. 

At the meeting, it was concluded that the 10 APC senators pledged to join force with the 50 PDP senators to elect Ekweremadu as replacement if the trial consumes the embattled Senate President

As reported by Daily Trust, the APC senators who signed the deal include two senators from Kwara, one from Kogi, three from Niger, one from Adamawa, one from Sokoto and two senators from Bauchi State. The 10 assured PDP senators that if Saraki is forced out, they will stand by them to elect Ekweremadu “no matter what their party does to persuade them.” 

They also promised that they will shun overtures even from President Muhammadu Buhari and team up with their PDP colleagues. 

Presently, out of the 109 Senators, the APC has 58, the PDP has 44 PDP with six vacancies. A switch of sides by eight APC senators is enough to turn PDP into a majority in the chamber.

Read More From Daily Trust

Stranded Saraki's RENTED Protesters Cry Out Over UNPAID Daily Stipends

Angered by the inability of their renters to pay them, some of the protesters hired by embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki to protest his corruption trial are disaffected because the N1000 per day they were promised has not been paid for a few days, Sahara Reporters says.

According to Sahara Reporters, a key player in the staged protests told SaharaReporters participants were recruited and paid N1000 per day to demonstrate their solidarity with Mr. Saraki, who is charged with false declaration of assets. He added that the fees had not been forthcoming for a few days, leading to disaffection among the rented protesters.

The source said he was one of a few men tasked with mobilizing poor or unemployed youngsters to mount protests against the senator’s trial. “We arranged for [recruited] for these, food vendors,  sachet water sellers, mai-barrow (truck pushers) and mai- boiler (scavengers). They no longer went to their normal businesses because we were paying them N1000 each,” the source said. 

Underaged protesters recruited by Saraki to besiege
the the CCT
Source: Sahara Reporters

He accused Mr. Saraki’s aides of suddenly cutting off the cash to pay the demonstrators. “As you can see, all of them [the protesters] are sitting over there angry because they have not been paid for some days now. They are not happy. I have appealed to them but they remain adamant and even go to the extent of destroying the placards and banners that we gave to them,” said the source. 

Our correspondent found torn pieces of posters and banners strewn all over the ground while some of the angry protesters were seen under the tree looking downcast.                                           

Our correspondent talked to some of the disgruntled protesters. Asked if they knew who Mr. Saraki was or the crimes for which he was being tried, several of them said they had no idea.

“All I want is the money they promised to give us every day,” one dismayed protester who identified himself simply as Sule, said.                                       

Our source said he was among several contacts contracted by the senator’s aides to rent protesters. He told SaharaReporters that one of the recruiters was almost manhandled one day when the people he hired accused him of collecting as much as N3000 per head and paying them only N1000. He said some of the protesters are armed with such weapons as sharp knives and cudgels, adding that some of them also carry “charms.” Last week, the police arrested one protester after spotting a weapon on him. Our source said the protester was released after the group leader who recruited him pleaded with the police on his behalf.                                               

One protester decried the fact that they stayed in the sun all day but were not paid at the end of the day. He insisted that they must get paid their arrears. The protesters sometimes stay out in the sweltering heat from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., often without food or water.       

Our source disclosed that Mr. Saraki’s aides had initially provided two 18-seater buses to transport hired protesters from the outskirts of Abuja.

In a related development, an editor of a major newspaper based in Lagos told our correspondent that Mr. Saraki’s bid to shape the media’s coverage of his trial has had little effect. “The senator’s media team has been working round the clock to bribe editors here in Lagos and in Abuja in order to influence the reportage of his trial. But I know that most of the media executive turned down the offer as they don't want to be caught up in any mess.”

SaharaReporters had earlier revealed that Mr. Saraki’s media team had held a meeting with various judicial correspondents at a garden near the International Conference Center in Abuja. Each correspondent was given N50, 000 to ensure that they would not carry negative accounts of the trial.

 However, today Mr. Saraki media team issued a statement claiming the government witness could not give an accurate account of his "AMEX" account, the press release was already being passed off as a real story by some media outlets.

Some of the protesters stay under the tree nearby waiting to be paid
Source: Sahara Reporters

Tired R

Source: SR