From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), yesterday, canvassed return of Decree 2 to deal with journalists, just as he accused Senate President, Bukola Saraki of employing delay tactics to frustrate expeditious trial of the charges of false assets declaration brought against him by the Federal Government.
Decree 2 was promulgated during the regime of former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in 1984. The decree allowed detention of journalists for six months or more, without trial.
CCT Chairman, Danladi Umar, yesterday, canvassed its return to “curb alleged excesses of some journalists” in the country. Meanwhile, irked by tactics to delay the trial, Umar warned that Saraki will “face the full consequences of the charges” against him.
His remarks followed allegation of delay tactics raised by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs against Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. Paul Usoro who sought to continue the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Micheal Wetkas.
Umar added that he had taken note of the delay tactics being employed by Saraki’s lawyers.
“I am not happy at the delay tactics by the defence counsel. And, I must say this thing out that, these delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet from this tribunal at the end of the trial.” Worried by Umar’s statement, Saraki’s lead counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi sought for explanations from Umar on what he meant by the consequences of the tribunal and said he and his client are worried over “assumed prejudices.”
The former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) cautioned the tribunal against influence from opposition and enemies and added that the defence team is against “assumed prejudices as it is against justice.
“From the defence side, we are not worried about the law and facts that will be placed before this tribunal by the prosecution. But, we are worried about enemies who may wish to use this tribunal to achieve their ulterior motive.
“As the tribunal chairman, we love you, we respect you, but, we are afraid of consequences, especially as just stated by this tribunal this morning.
“Our fears have been reinforced, but, we pray against consequences that are against natural justice.”
Apparently overwhelmed by the spontaneous reaction of lawyers to his remarks, the tribunal chairman said nobody would be prejudiced.
Later, under cross-examination by Saraki’s lawyer, Wetkas told the tribunal that Saraki was never investigated by EFCC on the ownership of two properties in Abuja which he allegedly failed to declare in his Assets Declaration form.
The witness said that their assumption that Saraki was the owner of the properties- Plot 2482 and Plot 2481 Maitaima Abuja was based on information obtained from the Managing Director of Carlisle Properties Ltd whose name he could not remember.
When the Certificate of Incorporation of Carlisle issued by Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) was shown to him and he was asked to read it out, the witness admitted that the two properties belonged to a registered company Carlisle and that they were acquired in 1993, 10 years before Saraki became the governor of Kwara State.
He also admitted that the name of the defendant was not mentioned in the acquisition documents executed by one Alhaji Attahiru Adamu and Carlisle Properties who are the sellers and buyers of the said property.
Answering a question, the witness said “my duty as an EFCC operative is to look for economic and financial crimes and not to investigate asset declaration matters,” said Wetkas.
Meanwhile, further cross examination of the witness has been adjourned till June 15.