As the false asset declaration trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, began at the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Wednesday, April 20, the witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Micheal Wetkas revealed that documents relating to the alleged transfer of $73, 233 by Saraki to a foreign account were burnt before the commencement of the trial.

Wetkas, during a cross examination by Paul Usoro, told the court that papers in possession of Guarantee Trust Bank relating to the charges leveled against the senate president in count 11 on the charge sheet, were reported to have been destroyed in a fire.

He said “There is an affidavit and I believe it was fire outbreak.”

The EFCC investigator told the court that details of Saraki’s alleged transfer of the said amount from his GTB account to a foreign account was gathered through several telexes from the American Express Bank, provided to his team of investigators by GTB.

“There is no doubt that the transaction was actually carried out by American Express Bank,” the witness said.

“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.”

Wetkas added that when GTB was invited by the agency, the bank reiterated its position on 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.

Saraki’s lawyer, Paul Usoro asked Wetkas if he knew whether the American Express Bank, alleged to be the bank Saraki transferred funds into, was incorporated or not.

The EFCC investigator further stated that his investigation only related to the debit card sent from the bank. He said: “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.”

Adebayo Emuleomo