Michael Wetkas, a detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday denied knowledge of the contents of a petition he tendered as evidence against Senate President Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The petition, which is marked “Exhibit 11”, was written by a group known as Kwara Freedom Network, alleging corruption against Saraki.
While being cross-examined by Kanu Agabi, Saraki’s lead counsel, Wetkas said he was not involved in the investigation of the petition he tendered as evidence at the tribunal.
Regarding whether he confirmed that local government funds were being illegally deducted as alleged in the petition against Saraki, he said:
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“Not part of the investigation I carried out.”
“Do you know whether the petition was addressed to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB),” Agabi asked.
“I don’t work for the CCB. I wouldn’t know.”
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Agabi: “In terms illegal transfer of funds by the accountant general, was he invited?”
Wetkas: “I cannot say because I was not the one in charge of this.”
Agabi: “Did you know if this exhibit was referred to him for an answer?
Wetkas: “I wouldn’t know, but he was once invited.”
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Agabi: “Did you meet with the members of Kwara Freedom Network?”
Wetkas: “It was not part of my investigation.”
Agabi: “In the course of your work, did you come upon any document in which members of this network were called upon to justify their petition.”
Wetkas: “I was involved in this investigation in 2014; the petition was in 2012.”
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Agabi: “Have you read the petition?”
“I only perused through it.”
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Agabi: “When you tendered this document, did it occur to you that you will be questioned?”
Wetkas: “This is not the aspect I investigated. Someone more competent than me will talk about it.”
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Agabi: “Did your perusal show that the asset declaration of the defendant was the issue.”
Wetkas: “I can’t remember seeing that.”
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When asked if he obtained the statements of the petitioners, the EFCC detective said he did not know.
Agabi: “Did you obtain any statement from the defendant on this petition?”
Wetkas: “It was not part of my investigation. I didn’t investigate this aspect of the petition. There are people who are more competent to talk about it.”
Agabi: “Exhibit 11 (the petition) is not addressed to the CCB. No action was taken for four years after exhibit 11 was received?”
Wetkas: “I cannot say that. I didn’t investigate exhibit 11.”
10 comments
I was disappointed in d witness. It like d EFCC doesn’t know d grativities of d effence is commiting.
So the truth is now coming out that this Saraki case was really just a set up.The star witness denying knowledge of what he tendered as evidence. Shame on all those who have been calling for him to resign.Bad belle will never help us progress.
The detective repeatedly said the document in question was not part of his own investigation, that there are witnesses who investigated that aspect and they will be competent to answer questions on that matter. What is wrong with that? How is refusing to answer a question in a matter you did not investigate translate into a “set up”?
Either Kanu Agabi has no legitimate question for the witness, or he is just fishing.
Nawaooooo,
Mind you, all we have read only centre around “exhibit 11.” Saraki is on trial for false declaration of assets which the witness investigated. I hope corruption will not kill this country.
Your comment..he is facing d trial why are they calling resignation….Infact is the seat they want and not justice
*just passing by*
There is nothing wrong on the answers the detective gave.
He said he was not the one that investigated so the lawyer should ask him the parts he investigated.
Exactly thank you .
Why are we asking someone livig and working in Russia about his working conditions in Australia.just to make him look stupid It doesn’t making sense.
Somebody more competent should be selected to answer those questions .
.
Exhibit 11! Y is Aga I not asking question on other exhibits? I have been living in Ilorin since 1986, wt Wetcas or not we av always known Saraki to b a ‘thief’. No matter wat d judiciary makes out of his case, we know dat he is a wolf in sheep’s skin.