I have other important things to do, says CCT judge as he adjourns Saraki’s trial to Jan

‎Danladi Umar, chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), on Tuesday adjourned the trial Senate President Bukola Saraki to January 11.

Announcing the adjournment after sitting for only 30 minutes, Umar said he had “other important thing to attend to”.

Before his announcement, Umar allowed Paul Usoro, Saraki’s counsel, to finish cross-examining Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and prosecution witness.

Usoro cross-examined Wetkas on count 16 of the charge of false declaration of assets brought against Saraki by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

While being cross-examined on the charge, Wetkas admitted that he did‎ not speak with the Kwara state government or interrogate Saraki on the allegation.

‎Usoro: Did you speak with Kwara state government or officials as regard this allegation.

Wetkas: No, didn’t speak with them.

Usoro: Throughout the investigation you didn’t speak with defendant?

Wetkas: Yes, that is correct.

Usoro: So, in respect of this charge you didn’t have any input from him?

Wetkas: No,  I did not.

‎Usoro cross-examined the witness for about three months.

The charge read in part: “That you Saraki while being senator did receive monthly salary as governor of Kwara state.”