A detective of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), Michael Wetkas, on Tuesday April 19, 2016, denied knowledge of the
contents of a petition he tendered as evidence against Senate President
Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
The petition, which is marked “Exhibit 11″, was
written by a group known as Kwara Freedom Network, alleging corruption
against Saraki.
While being cross-examined by Kanu Agabi, Saraki’s lead counsel, Wetkas
said he was not involved in the investigation of the petition he
tendered as evidence at the tribunal.
Regarding
whether he confirmed that local government funds were being illegally
deducted as alleged in the petition against Saraki, he said:
“Not part of the investigation I carried out.”
“Do you know whether the petition was addressed to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB),” Agabi asked.
“I don’t work for the CCB. I wouldn’t know.”
Agabi: “In terms illegal transfer of funds by the accountant general, was he invited?”
Wetkas: “I cannot say because I was not the one in charge of this.”
Agabi: “Did you know if this exhibit was referred to him for an answer?
Wetkas: “I wouldn’t know, but he was once invited.”
Agabi: “Did you meet with the members of Kwara Freedom Network?”
Wetkas: “It was not part of my investigation.”
Agabi:
“In the course of your work, did you come upon any document in which
members of this network were called upon to justify their petition.”
Wetkas: “I was involved in this investigation in 2014; the petition was in 2012.”
Agabi: “Have you read the petition?”
“I only perused through it.”
Agabi: “When you tendered this document, did it occur to you that you will be questioned?”
Wetkas: “This is not the aspect I investigated. Someone more competent than me will talk about it.”
Agabi: “Did your perusal show that the asset declaration of the defendant was the issue.”
Wetkas: “I can’t remember seeing that.”
When asked if he obtained the statements of the petitioners, the EFCC detective said he did not know.
Agabi: “Did you obtain any statement from the defendant on this petition?”
Wetkas:
“It was not part of my investigation. I didn’t investigate this aspect
of the petition. There are people who are more competent to talk about
it.”
Agabi:
“Exhibit 11 (the petition) is not addressed to the CCB. No action was
taken for four years after exhibit 11 was received?”
Wetkas: “I cannot say that. I didn’t investigate exhibit 11.”
The trial has been adjourned till Wednesday 20th of April 2016
