The Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) sitting in Abuja was Wednesday regaled with shocking tales of mindboggling local and international financial transactions by Senate President Bukola Saraki as his trial for alleged false declaration of assets continued in the Nigerian capital.

The Lead Counsel to Saraki, Kanu Agabi, had stormed the CCT with 90 lawyers.

Addressing the court presided over by Justice Danladi Umar, Prosecution Counsel 1, Michael Wetkas, disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requested for details of Saraki’s naira and dollar accounts with GTBank and that the bank had provided all requested details. He listed all the naira and dollar bank account numbers owned by Saraki in GTBank and the cash flows as investigated by EFCC.

The trial judge took note of some fresh exhibits presented before him by Mr. Wetkas and admitted all.

Giving details of Saraki’s financial transactions from his GTBank accounts, Wetkas stated that N200,640,000 was paid to the Presidential Committee on Sales of Federal Government Property by Bukola Saraki for the purchase of property in Lagos.

Wetkas also listed several amounts which have passed through Saraki’s accounts for the purchase of property in various locations in Nigeria and abroad with dates. According to him, “$10,000 each was deposited for 18 times in one day, on the 19th of May, 2012, into Saraki’s GTBank Dollar account, in which the last three deposits were made by Saraki himself.

“Another £1,516,000 was allegedly wired by Saraki into his foreign account.

“N184,000,000 was on the 15th of February, 2010 paid to a company and N153,900,000 was transferred to another company, but was later converted into pounds sterling accounts by Saraki.”

According to Wetkas, it was also revealed that “N375,000,000 was allegedly converted into euros and used to purchase property via telex to Fortis Bank, and also for mortgage purposes.”

About 25 senators loyal to Saraki were in the court room to witness the proceedings today.

When the trial finally started yesterday, Saraki had said he was glad that the process had finally commenced. He told reporters in Abuja that he was confident that if the trial is conducted fairly he would be vindicated.

The embattled Senate President noted that even though the prosecution tried to bring in some dramatic narratives, it was clear that they were merely thrashing around and hoping to titillate the public with salacious tales.

“I am hopeful however that when the time comes, my lawyers will have the opportunity to present my case,” he stated.

•Photo shows embattled Senate President Bukola Saraki.

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