There is palpable fear in the camp of Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu
as the Department of States Security, DSS, and the Nigeria Police has
allegedly lay siege, in an order to arrest and arraigned them in court.
The two lawmakers and the immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly,
Salisu Maikasuwa would be charged for alleged forgery before an FCT
High court in Abuja.
The forgery charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu is ready. The two count charges read thus:
The forgery charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu is ready. The two count charges read thus:
Count One 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 Arm Zone, Abuja
within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable 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."
Count Two 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 Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable 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."
A source told us that Saraki and Ekweremadu were aware of the charges against them and that was why they told the Senate spokesman to release a statement on Sunday evening, accusing the presidency of trying to cripple the senate, when in fact the two of them does not make up the senate.
Count Two 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 Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable 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."
A source told us that Saraki and Ekweremadu were aware of the charges against them and that was why they told the Senate spokesman to release a statement on Sunday evening, accusing the presidency of trying to cripple the senate, when in fact the two of them does not make up the senate.