Reps warn FG over Saraki/Ekweremadu forgery case

The House of Representatives has warned the Federal Government against acts capable of crippling the National Assembly, adding that it must desist from its planned prosecution of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu over forgery allegations.

According to the House, charging Saraki and Ekweremadu to court does not only amount to interfering with the “internal affairs” of the Senate, but also part of a plot to cripple the institution of the National Assembly.

The lawmakers, in a resolution on Tuesday, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene by cautioning top officials of his administration and stop them from “progressing in error.”

The resolution was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance brought up by Hon. TJ Yusuf, Kogi/PDP.
Yusuf recalled that the lack of respect for the National Assembly was exemplified in the non-implementation of the resolution passed since March, taking over the Kogi State House of Assembly.

According to the House, prosecuting Saraki and Ekweremadu after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ruled that the case in question was an internal affair of the legislature, shows that there is a desperation to rubbish the National Assembly.

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The resolution reads in part: “The House strongly urge Mr. President, who has sworn to an oath to defend and protect the constitution, to prevail on the members of the executive council to desist from further steps that will cripple the National Assembly.

“These include prosecuting the presiding officers of the Senate over alleged forgery of Senate Rules, which a competent court of law has also recognised as strictly the ‘internal affair of the National Assembly’, and which judgement has not been set aside by any superior court.”

The House also said the refusal of ministers and heads of agencies to honour invitations to before committees for oversight are instances disregard for the National Assembly.

“It is now commonplace that ministers and heads of parastatals ignore invitations by committees at will.
“The House committees have therefore been rendered toothless because no consequences attach to such wanton refusal of ministers to attend sessions,” the resolution added.

The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session, did not allow the motion to be debated, saying that it was straightforward.

After a majority voice vote endorced the motion, it was referred to the joint committees on Justice and Legislative Compliance.

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