There have been two amendments of the original 13 counts which now brings the counts against the Senate President to 16.
The first amendment which brought in additional two counts was made on April 18, 2016 while the latest made on April 27, 2016, added one fresh count.
The charges dated April 18 were withdrawn on Thursday.
The latest amendment was introduced by the prosecution accepted by the tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar, after overruling the defence led by Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), who argued that the prosecution required a motion to give the reasons for the amendment before the tribunal could accept it.
The prosecution alleged in the latest count that on June 3, 2011, Saraki 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 No 441441953210 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.
The charges will be read to the defendant who will plead either guilty or not guilty to it when the tribunal resumes from its break.
The defence will then continue the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness, Mr. Michael Wetkas.
Originally, the Federal Government preferred against Saraki,13 counts, including charges of false and anticipatory asset declaration, as well as operation of foreign accounts, which he allegedly committed while being Governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.
The first amendment added two charges which, include allegation that Saraki continued to receive salary and emoluments as Governor of Kwara State after the expiration of his tenue and at the same time, from the Federal Government as a senator between June 2011 and October 2013.
The offence is said to be contrary to section 6(a) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. CAP. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 2(a), Part I of 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.
The other additional charge is that Saraki failed to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau on assumption of office as Governor of Kwara State in 2003, his leasehold interest leasehold in the property at 42, Remi Fani Kayode Street, Ikeja, Lagos.
He was said to have acquired the property in December 12, 1996 through his company, Skyview Properties Limited from First Finance trust Limited.
The offence is said to be contrary to section 15(1)(2) 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.