SENATE FORGERY: Saraki, Ekweremadu, others for arraignment today

Embattled Senate President, Dr. Bukola
Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, are to
be arraigned before an Abuja High Court sitting
at Jabi, today on a two-count charge of
conspiracy and forgery.

In the charge by the Attorney General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar
Malami, SAN, the duo are accused of complicity
in alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders,
2015.

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

The alleged bogus Standing Order was used to
conduct the July 9, 2015, election through which
both Saraki and Ekweremadu emerged.

FG maintained in the charge the duo had by their
conduct, committed an offence punishable under
Section 97 (1) and 364 of the Penal Code Act.

The charge against the defendants, read: “That
you, Salisu Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr.
Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or
about June 9, 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.

Meanwhile, former Chief Whip of the Senate,
Senator Rowland Owie, yesterday, asked
President Muhammadu Buhari to leave the
Senate President, Saraki and his deputy,
Ekweremadu alone in the alleged plans by the
Presidency to cripple the legislative arm of
government.

Senator Owie who asked President Buhari not to
interfere in the affairs of the National Assembly,
said that the legislative arm in the world
stabilizes democracy, adding that he should
emulate those he described as worthy former
democratically elected Presidents of Nigeria such
as Shehu Shagari; Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan, who never interfered in the
affairs of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, there are indications that a vote of
confidence would be passed on the duo of Saraki
and Ekweremadu today by some of the senators.

To achieve this, Vanguard gathered that senators
of both the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC
and opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,
have been contacted to append their signatures
to a motion to this effect, intended to be
sponsored by one of the ardent supporters of
the Senate leadership.

The intending action of the senate is still being
kept in secret, but a source said many senators,
perceived to be favourably disposed to the
Saraki/Ekweremadu leadership of the 8th Senate,
have been reached for their signatures.

The source said that they were, however, advised
to keep the development secret.