Saraki, Ekweremadu To Be Arraigned Today Over Alleged Forgery Of Senate Rules

 

Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, are scheduled for arraignment before an Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi today June 21st on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery.

They are to be arraigned alongside the former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

The alleged false Standing Order was used to conduct the election through which both Saraki and

Ekweremadu emerged on July 9th last year.

In the court papers, the Federal government argued that they had by their conduct, committed an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) and 364 of the Penal Code Act.

Part of the charge reads…

    “That you, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or about, the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired amongst yourselves to forge the Senate Standing Order, 2011 (as amended) and you thereby committed the offence of conspiracy, punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Law. 

That you, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with fraudulent intent, forged the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended), causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Order, 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when you knew that the said Order was not made in compliance with the procedure for amendment of the Senate Order. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.” 

According to VANGUARD, it is however not clear if the politicians will appear before the court today as Lawyers to Saraki say he has not gotten any court summon on the matter and so will most likely not be attending any court hearing. 

They argue that even if he is presented with a court paper today, he will have to study it and respond to it before he can be arraigned.