By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
The third prosecution witness on the ongoing trial of senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, yesterday, told Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), in Abuja that the Saraki was not invited for an interview by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), over claims in his assets declaration form.
Saraki is being prosecuted on an 18-count charge bordering on false assets declaration and money laundering while in office as Governor of Kwara state.
The witness, Mr. Samuel Madujemu, a staff of CCB, was called up by the EFCC to prove that Saraki erred on the side of the law.
Under cross-examined by Saraki’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, the witness while responding to a question on the 2015 investigation of Saraki’s assets, admitted that he was a member of the team made up of the CCB and the EFCC.
He further revealed that Saraki was not invited for an interview over his assets declaration.
He said: “Saraki had already made statement on oath in his assets declaration form. The defendant was not invited for interview because he had already made a statement on oath in his assets declaration form. It is not compulsory to invite a declarant for interview.”
While being further cross examined by Agabi, the witness admitted before the tribunal that “the directive given to the investigation team was oral and the terms of reference oral too.”
Earlier, the witness had told the tribunal that he was not familiar with all aspects of the case.
“I am familiar with the assets declaration of the declarant but the investigation was conducted by two agencies.”
But when asked whether he was familiar with every aspect of the case, Madujemu said: “I am not totally familiar with all aspects of the exhibits tendered before the court.
“I was not a member of the 2006 Investigation Team that verified the assets of the defendant before his assumption of office in 2003.”
He, however, admitted being a member of the 2015 Investigation Team which comprised the CCB and the EFCC.
Responding, he said: “I am not here to challenge the Investigation conducted in 2006, but based upon its outcome, which was found to be scanty, there was need for further investigation.”
He admitted not being in the EFCC when the decision to review the 2006 investigation report was taken.
The witness further told the tribunal that one Mr. Okechi Iwuagwu, a staff of CCB was a member of the 2006 team, but that he did not know if he headed team.
Meanwhile, the tribunal adjourned proceedings till March 21 and 22 for continuation of cross-examination.
