CCT: FG Sold Private Property To Saraki – Witness

KUNLE OLASANM

— May 12, 2016 12:54 am | Leave a comment

There was ambiguity yesterday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over the ownership of properties alleged to have been bought by the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, from the federal government.

Under cross-examination, the prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas, told the Tribunal that the properties sold to the Senate president were privately owned.

The evidence is contrary to the claim by the witness that the properties were bought from the Presidential Implementation Committee for the Sales of Government Houses.

Continuing with the cross-examination, the defence counsel, Mr. Paul Usoro, urged the witness to read aloud a letter from one of the bidders of the said properties to the committee, indicating that the numbering of the properties were ambiguous.

According to the letter, the properties were labelled 15a MacDonald Street,  Ikoyi, 15b, MacDonald Street, Ikoyi and Block 15, McDonald Street,  Ikoyi, behind another plot of land labelled No. 15 Macdonald Street, Ikoyi.

When asked whether the EFCC invited the writer of the letter, Energy Marine Limited, to explain the content, he answered no. On whether he visited the properties to ascertain the discrepancies in the numbers of the properties, he said he did not, but that other members of the team did and reported back to him.

Answering another question, a member of CCT Panel asked the witness how he came to the conclusion that 15a and 15b are same as No. 15 and Block 15, MacDonald Street. He said he was not conversant with how properties are numbered but as an investigator, he often relied on the replies from the Lagos Land Registry and the Presidential Committee.

The tribunal has further adjourned to May 17 for continuation.