Politics
Forgery case: See those who will testify against Saraki, Ekweremadu
With the case of forgery proffered against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, the Federal Government has made known those who will prove its case by testifying against the lawmakers.
Saraki and Ekweremadu are to appear in Court on Monday to answer to charges that they allegedly altered the Senate Standing Rules that was used to conduct the election into their present positions in the Red Chamber.
Charged along with them are the immediate past Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, and Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Benedict Efeture.
According to court documents filed by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation which is in charge of the case, the Federal Government witnesses include the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, and counterpart on Political Matters, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu.
Others are Sen. Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi; Sen. Solomon Ewuga; Sen. Ahmed L. Lawan; Sen. Abdullahi Gumel; Sen Kabiru Garba Marafa; Sen. Gbenga Ashafa; Sen. Robert Boroffice; Sen. Abu Ibrahim; Dr. Ogozy Nma; Adem D.J; ex-DIG Dan’Azumi J Doma and ACP David Igbodo.
Read also: Forgery case: AGF adamant, tells Saraki, Ekweremadu to take argument to court
There were however indications that the leadership of the Seventh Senate which was led by Senator David Mark may be dragged into the case.
Inquiries reveal that Mr Efeture had told the police that the leadership of the Seventh Senate ordered the 2015 Standing Rules as amended by their convention and practice.
However, a police report on the issue dated July 14, 2015 with reference CR: 3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.186/88, among others, noted that “he contents of the Senate Standing Oder 2015 as amended are substantially different from the Senate Standing Order 2011 as amended.
“The Senate Standing Orders 2015 which was used to inaugurate the 8th Senate on the 9th of June 2015 was ordered by the leadership of the 7th Senate without following Section 110 of the Senate Rules 2011 as amended.
“The practice where some group of Senators amends the Rules of the Senate without following legal procedures is criminal.”
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