CCB witness: Saraki earned N254,000 as governor

‎Samuel Madojemu, head of investigation Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), on Thursday said Senate President Bukola Saraki earned N254,412.25 as governor.

Saraki was governor of Kwara between 2003 and 2011.

Madojemu, who is the head, intelligence unit of the CCB, said this wile being led in evidence by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the prosecution counsel, at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

He said Saraki stated in his asset declaration forms that he bought some choice pieces of property from the sale of rice and sugar..

But under cross-examination by Paul Erokoro, the defence counsel, the witness said it was not unlawful for Saraki to have traded in the commodities through a company he had shares in.

‎Madojemu also admitted that he did not find out if Saraki traded in rice and sugar through a company he had shares in.

Saraki is facing an 18-count charge of false asset declaration at the CCT.

Below is rundown of the dialogue.

Saraki’s counsel: Do you have personal knowledge of the defendant’s handwriting?

Witness: I only have official knowledge of his handwriting.

Saraki’s counsel: Did the defendant fill in and sign the forms in your presence?

Witness: No,  Your Lordship.

Saraki’s counsel: Have you seen him sign any document?

Witness: No, I have not, Your Lordship

Saraki’s counsel: Do you recall you swore to an affidavit at this tribunal in September 2015.

Witness: Yes, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: At the time you were swearing that affidavit you knew it was going to be applied in the filing of this charge.

Witness: Yes,  Your Lordship.

Saraki’s counsel: You cross-checked the facts contained in that affidavit?

Witness: Yes,  Your Lordship.

Saraki’s counsel: Do you stand by the content of that affidavit?

Witness: Yes, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: Do you recall in that affidavit you listed all the asset declaration forms the defendant submitted.

Witness: Yes, Your Lordship.

Saraki’s counsel: Can you tell the tribunal the number of forms in the affidavit?

Witness: There are four here?

Saraki’s counsel: Check the forms the defendant filled and tendered here,  how many are they?

Witness: Seven, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: Are the numbers four and seven the same?

Witness: No, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: You were asked whether it is lawful for a public officer to trade in rice and sugar, you said no. Is a public officer allowed to own shares in a company?

Witness: Yes, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: Is there any law stopping a public officer from owning majority shares in a company trading in rice and sugar‎?

Witness: No, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: You did not ask the defendant whether his company trades in rice and sugar?

Witness: No, I didn’t, My Lord.

Saraki’s counsel: Did you find out if any of the defendant’s company actually trade in rice and sugar?

Witness: No, Your Lordship.

Saraki’s counsel: Have you ever seen the audited account of the defendant’s company?

Witness: No, Your Lordship.