FG amends Saraki’s false assets declaration charge

‎The federal government has amended the charges of false asset declaration it filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Rotimi Jacobs, the prosecution counsel, brought a notice of an amendment to the charges before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Wednesday.

He said the amendment was based on evidence that had already been tendered‎ at the tribunal.

In September 2015, the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) filed a 13-count charge of false asset declaration‎ against the senate president.

And in February 2016, it amended the charges, adding three additional alleged offences, which made them 16.

But on Wednesday, two more charges were added‎, making them 18.

However, the prosecution counsel said‎ more charges were not added, but that the main ones were “simplified” to reflect the evidence that had been tendered.

The trial could not continue owing to the fresh application.

‎Subsequently, Danladi Umar, chairman of the CCT, adjourned the case‎ to February 23 for Saraki to take his plea, and for the continuation of trial.