Key Evidence Against Saraki Burnt in Nigerian Bank - Witness Reveals at CCT Trial

Bukola Saraki arriving at his CCT trial

 

During today's session at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja, a prosecution witness testifying against the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki, told the tribunal that documents relating to Saraki’s alleged transfer of $73,233,028 were burnt before the commencement of trial.

 

Micheal Wetkas who is a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the tribunal during cross examination by a defence counsel, Paul Usoro, that the documents relating to the said allegation, contained in count 11 of the charge against Saraki, was reported to have been burnt by a Nigerian bank, the Guaranteed Trust Bank, where the said fund was transferred from. "There is an affidavit and I believe it was fire outbreak," he stated

 

Wetkas told the tribunal that his investigative team came across the information concerning Saraki’s foreign account through several telexes from the American Express Bank, provided to the team by GTB, adding that the requests made by his investigation team for the telexes was a result of a debit transaction noticed in Saraki’s account. 

 

"There is no doubt that the transaction was actually carried out by American Express Bank. A debit in the account of the defendant was there and the narration was clear that money was transferred and where it was transferred from," the witness said.

 

He added that GTB was invited and that the bank confirmed what it earlier stated regarding the transfer, and the burnt documents. "There were also police reports and affidavit which they (the GTB) swore to show that  some documents were burnt," he stated.

 

While answering questions regarding whether or not he (Mr. Wetkas) knew if the American Express Bank was a bank incorporated or not, he said his investigation only related to the debit card sent from the bank. "I know the bank exists through open source information. I do not believe anybody will carry his money and throw into a non existent account," Wetkas said.

 

Also when asked if there was anything on the form containing the details of the telex, relating an entry from the American Express Bank, Wetkas simply stated; "From my investigations that does not necessarily have to be there."

 

When Usoro, insisted on getting a response to that question, Wetkas said there was nothing referring to the American Express Bank.

 

Saraki is standing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal for an alleged false and anticipatory declaration of assets.