Senate Standing Rules: FG Files Charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu

An order of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, trying a case of alleged forgery
between the Federal Government and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and three other alleged conspirators, has been served by substituted means. The court order was pasted on the notice of board of the National Assembly, Tuesday evening. Joined with Mr. Saraki as accused are his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasu, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.
In the suit, with reference number CV/219/16, the four are charged for conspiracy and forgery of Senate Standing Rules used for the elections of Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu last June 9. Justice Haliru Yusuf, Tuesday morning, had granted the leave to the Federal Government, represented by a Principal State Counsel, D.E Kaswe, to serve the accused by substituted means “to wit; by pasting it (originating summons) at the Notice Board of the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone, Abuja.” The initial inability of Federal Government to
serve the accused, thereby preventing their appearances, stopped their arraignment today,
Tuesday.
Subsequently, Mr. Yusuf fixed June 27 for the arraignment of the four accused persons.
At its session Tuesday, the Senate passed a resolution declaring that the Standing Rules was not fake. The Senate, following a motion by Dino Melaye, said it should be accorded the right to handle its internal affairs. It also resolved to summon the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to, within two days, “explain and justify with evidence”
the basis for the charges pressed against its presiding officers, Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu. The Senate accused the Buhari Administration of plotting to force leadership change in the National Assembly by “muzzling the legislature and criminalising legislative processes”.