FG to file fresh charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu individually over forgery of Senate rule

jchima

An indication has emerged that the forgery case against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, which was withdrawn by the Federal Government last week, is to be filed afresh.
Saraki, Ekweremadu, a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 on charges bordering on forgery of Senate Rules which they all pleaded not guilty to.

Last week, the Federal Government withdrew the charges leveled against the principal officers of the National Assembly.

However, an official of the Ministry of Justice told Vanguard on Sunday night that the police is still conducting investigations into the matter and upon completion, both leaders of the Senate will be charged separately as against the previous one when they were jointly arraigned.

According to the source, the Police is yet to interrogate Saraki, Ekweremadu and other officials of the National Assembly said to be involved in the alleged forgery of the Senate Rules used in conducting the inauguration of the 8th Senate.

The source was reported as saying: “You can see that under the Criminal Justice Act, the statement of the accused persons and all the witnesses are expected to be filed and it would have been wrong to have pressed ahead with the case when the police are yet to conclude their investigations.

“The Federal Government considered it appropriate to withdraw the case and conclude the investigation and attach both the statements by the accused and the witnesses before filing fresh charges against the suspects.

“We want to strengthen our position and present a solid case against the suspects as required under the Criminal Justice Administration Act.”


Source: http://latestnaijanews.com.ng/fg-to-file-fresh-charges-against-saraki-ekweremadu-individually-over-forgery-of-senate-rule/