The Head of
the Funds Transfer Unit of the Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr. Amazi Nwachuckwu,
appeared before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Tuesday, giving details of how
the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, funded his offshore accounts between
2009 and and 2012.
Nwachukwu,
who had within the period served at the Central Clearing and Foreign Operations
Units of the bank, appeared before the CCT as the second prosecution witness in
the ongoing trial of Saraki on charges bordering on asset declaration.
Saraki was
the governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011 after which he was elected to
the Senate.
The
prosecution had alleged that the Senate President did not declare the foreign
accounts to the Code of Conduct Bureau while being governor and a Senator during
the period.
While being
led in evidence by the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), he
said the Senate President transferred funds to his foreign accounts between
2009 and 2012.
The witness
confirmed that Saraki was keeping dollar, pounds sterling and naira accounts
domiciled in the Ilorin, Kwara State branch of the GTB.
He said
Saraki transferred over $3m from his dollar account to his foreign account
during the period.
He also said
Saraki transferred the sum of $73,223.28 to America Express Services Euro
Limited, New York, through their bank, America Express Bank, New York.
He said,
“Dr. Saraki filled the form in Kwara State Government House, Ilorin.
“He gave
instruction to transfer the sum of $73,223.28 to the beneficiary America Express
Services Euro Limited, New York, through their bank, America Express Bank, New
York to account number 730580 maintained by America Express Service Euro
Limited.
“The purpose
of payment was funding for amounts utilised on AMEX (American Express) cards
issued to the customer (dollar credit card no. 374588216836009).
“For his
dollar account number 441/441953/2/1/0, the customer signed the fund transfer
form. The form was received from the account officer in Ilorin branch. We then
processed it and transferred it to our corresponding bank abroad.
“The
corresponding bank then transferred it America Express Bank Limited.”
He said the
transfer was for the “funding for amount utilised on the payment cards issued
to Saraki.”
He said the
former Kwara State Governor transferred the total sum of £1,526,194.53 from his
pounds sterling account to his Fortis Bank, London account in three instalments
within two days on February 15 and 16, 2010.
He also said
the GTB also offered a N375m loan to Saraki through a letter dated February 10,
2010.
According to
the witness, Saraki instructed GTB to transfer the pounds sterling equivalent
of the loan to fund mortage on a London property.
He said, “In
Exhibit 7 is a letter dated February 10, 2010.
In the 14th
out of the 16 counts preferred against the Senate President, Saraki was said to
have failed to declare his interest in “an American Express Service Card with
No: 374588216836009 wherein you (Saraki) transferred huges sums of money in
dollars from your Guaranty Trust Bank domiciliary account No441441953210 in
Nigeria to the American Express Service, Europe, whilst you Executive Governor
of Kwara State.”
The offence
is said to be contrary to section 15 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal
Act, CAP. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated
under paragraph 11(1) and (2), Part I o the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution.
It is said
to be punishable under section 23(2) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal
Act as incorporated under paragraph 18, Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the
Constitution.
Source: punchng.com
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