This week opens with a legal tussle between Saraki and Ekweremadu over a case of forgery which attracts a jail term of 14-years and being barred from contesting for any public position again.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu
The New Telegraph reports that the Abuja High Court will today, 27th of June, 2016 be greeted with the high profile case of the trial of the principal officers of the Senate namely Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others over alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rules which has been denied by the defendants.
The Federal Government had, last week, filed a two-count criminal charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu, a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efe turi, bothering on criminal conspiracy and forgery. In the charge, Maikasuwa is listed as the first defendant, Efeturi (2nd defendant), Saraki (3rd de-fendant) and Ekweremadu (4th defendant).
Justice Yusuf Halilu had, last week Tuesday, fixed today for arraignment after ordering substituted service of the charges on the defendants. The order, made by the court, followed the complaint by the prosecution that several attempts of personal service on the defendants had failed.
While granting prosecution’s request for substituted service on the defendants, Justice Halilu ordered that the charges be pasted on the notice board of the National Assembly. However, the central government had listed among its witnesses against Saraki, two aides of President Muhammadu Buhari – Senators Ojudu Babafemi and Ita Enang.
Others listed, as witnesses are Senators Solomon Ewuga, Ahmed Lawan, Abdullahi Gumel, Kabiru Marafa, Gbenga Ashafa, Robert Borrofice, Abu Ibrahim and Othman Hunkuyi. There were indications last night that Saraki and Maikasuwa may not attend the court session today for the arraignment.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, stated that Saraki’s absence in court will be as a result of an application filed by his counsel last week which the court has not sat on. For Maikasuwa, the source stated that the order of substituted service made by the court cannot catch on Maikasuwa as he is no longer a staff of the National Assembly, and as such it is deemed under law that he has not been served.
The Federal Government had, last week, filed a two-count criminal charge against Saraki, Ekweremadu, a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efe turi, bothering on criminal conspiracy and forgery. In the charge, Maikasuwa is listed as the first defendant, Efeturi (2nd defendant), Saraki (3rd de-fendant) and Ekweremadu (4th defendant).
Justice Yusuf Halilu had, last week Tuesday, fixed today for arraignment after ordering substituted service of the charges on the defendants. The order, made by the court, followed the complaint by the prosecution that several attempts of personal service on the defendants had failed.
While granting prosecution’s request for substituted service on the defendants, Justice Halilu ordered that the charges be pasted on the notice board of the National Assembly. However, the central government had listed among its witnesses against Saraki, two aides of President Muhammadu Buhari – Senators Ojudu Babafemi and Ita Enang.
Others listed, as witnesses are Senators Solomon Ewuga, Ahmed Lawan, Abdullahi Gumel, Kabiru Marafa, Gbenga Ashafa, Robert Borrofice, Abu Ibrahim and Othman Hunkuyi. There were indications last night that Saraki and Maikasuwa may not attend the court session today for the arraignment.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, stated that Saraki’s absence in court will be as a result of an application filed by his counsel last week which the court has not sat on. For Maikasuwa, the source stated that the order of substituted service made by the court cannot catch on Maikasuwa as he is no longer a staff of the National Assembly, and as such it is deemed under law that he has not been served.
Saraki and Ekweremadu have constantly attributed the law suit against them to the handiworks of saboteurs threatening to cripple the leadership structure for their political benefits.
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