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Resign or face your trial, government tells Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu

By Karls Tsokar
30 June 2016   |   4:21 am
The government said it would be better for Saraki and Ekweremadu to either honourably resign or face the judicial process.
R-L: Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy , Ike Ekweremadu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged forgery of Senate Rule. PHOTO: GBEMIGA OLAMIKAN

R-L: Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy , Ike Ekweremadu at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged forgery of Senate Rule. PHOTO: GBEMIGA OLAMIKAN

The Federal Government has hit back at the Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, over statements they made last Tuesday after they were arraigned for allegedly forging the Standing Rules of the upper legislative chamber.

The government said it would be better for Saraki and Ekweremadu to either honourably resign or face the judicial process.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, said statements issued by both Senate leaders targeting the government and President Muhammadu Buhari as an individual as if the executive arm was the initiator of the forgery case against them was not acceptable.

Lawal who also signed a statement yesterday said the separate comments by “the two leaders of the Senate also gave this erroneous impression that by their arraignment, it is the entire Senate and indeed, the legislative arm of government that is on trial. They want the public to believe that their prosecution is in utter disregard by the executive arm of government for the constitutional provisions of separation of powers and that preferring the forgery case against them is a vendetta exercise.”

He said the two separate statements conveyed ‘‘messages that are far from being complementary to the person and government of President Muhammadu Buhari.’’

‘‘Senator Saraki in his statement clearly insinuated that Mr. President is not in control of his administration and that a cabal now runs the federal administration.

‘‘On the part of Senator Ekweremadu, he insists that President Buhari is exhibiting dictatorial tendencies that can derail our democracy.”

Although he said the case is in court and the judicial process must be allowed to take its course, Lawal absolved the executive arm of government of blame, saying: “It is important to emphasize that this case involves only the four accused persons and should not be presented to the unsuspecting public as involving the entire Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The complaint leading to the forgery investigation was reported to the police by some aggrieved senators who specifically accused certain persons. It is not the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is involved and definitely not the House of Representatives.

‘‘To bring the National Assembly as a body into this court case is totally unwarranted. It can only be for other purposes and reasons outside the investigation and legal proceedings.”

He explained further that it was a case of alleged forgery, which cannot be preferred against an institution but on individual.

Citing the case of former Speaker Salisu Buhari, who forged a certificate showing that he graduated from a Toronto University, Lawal said: “What he did was to resign, honourably. The matter did not even go to court. In that particular case, it was never orchestrated as a matter for the National Assembly. The individual involved did not drag the entire legislature into the matter.”

Lawal contended that the two statements by the Senate chiefs were indeed contradictory as Saraki believes the President has abdicated his powers, allowing a cabal to be in charge of federal administration, while Ekweremadu said Buhari has become a dictator.

Lawal added: “Our democracy is still evolving and being deepened. The provisions of the separation of powers are entrenched in our Constitution and should guide everyone in our conduct. The rule of law is indeed supreme. This particular case is before the judiciary and is not being decided by the executive arm of government.

“All that has transpired is still within the confines of our laws. These are the rights to accuse, to be investigated and be arraigned before the court. To impute other considerations to the process is unfortunate. We should allow the process to take its course, in consonance with the dictates of the law and total obeisance to the cardinal democratic principle of the separation of powers.”

52 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Saraki and Ekweremadu are a cog in the wheel of Nigeria’s progress.

    On the 28th of March, 2015, after enduring the idiotic PDP’s 16 years of the locust, Nigerians kicked PDP out of power and fled from PDP’s Mumudom. But like Pharoah, Saraki and Ekweremadu refused to let Nigerians go and enjoy their knew found freedom. They found a way to contaminate our Arab Spring and keep Nigerians in bondage.

    The charges of forgery against Saraki and Ekweremadu are very serious. They should resign, free Nigerians and stop impeding the progress of Nigeria

    If they fail to resign, Nigeria’s civil society, for starters, should call on the U.S. State department, to bar Saraki, Ekweremadu and their families from coming into the United States – by virtue of Proclamation 7750 – just as the U.S. State Department did to their cohort, Michael Aondoka, for his role in the forgery Yar’ Adua’s signature

    • Author’s gravatar

      You really don’t know what you’re talking about or maybe you’re one of those people dwindling the Nigeria economy! Buhari and the SGF has no power to drag the senate to court cos they are the power to check any government. Buhari is a coward because he is only trying to escape his duty. When you try to correct him, he picks up offense nd start to investigate you cos he thinks everyone is a coward like him. You will drag everybody to court by the end of this year, then, he will be kicked out of that office. Maybe he thinks cos he’s a retired general, he is untouchable…he cannot fight the whole country!

      • Author’s gravatar

        please go and complete your education

        • Author’s gravatar

          you are an uneducated thief , when did saraki try to correct buhari, who gave you access to internet. everyone being tried is linked to corruption. If you arent a thief you have nothing to fear from court case

          • Author’s gravatar

            Avatar
            ecd201 • 4 days ago
            Buhari from the onset did not hide his disgust for the Saraki/Enweremadu becoming the Senate President and Deputy Senate President and that has lingered on for sometime now. There is no gain saying that this matter have cost us man hours and there seems to be no end to it except for Buhari to leave them alone and manage the executive arm of the Government he is elected to lead.
            This intrusion into the Upper Chamber of the house is simply undemocratic and should be frowned at by every well meaning Nigerian.
            This democracy is not an extension of the Buhari/idiagbon military Government where people were treated with disdain. Those in support of this Executive recklessness should beware, after Saraki there will be someone else to face. It is all about witch hunting. I can understand the fight against corruption, but not this one.

          • Author’s gravatar

            SO, when members of senate petitioned AGF, the petition should be swept under the carpet? Moreso, we should allow some cabals to just wake up and start amending official documents in the absence of others? where we have 6 directors in a company, 2 of them just wake up change the rules governing the company and other should sit down look and said, “it is internal affairs”.
            My brother, sentiment apart, FG is trying to nip-in the bud crimes that we are use to. this is criminal case and it has no other names.

          • Author’s gravatar

            @Denero….You are a compound fool….! Your case needs serious emergency because you are also mentally blind. Buhari who’s An uneducated thief, who knows nothing about “economy” wants to economize Africa’s biggest and populated country like Nigeria. I think you’re also an uneducated thief like him….! Go and read when Saraki and the senate summon Buhari on the present situation of Nigeria and read well fool.

            https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/economic-recession-senate-summons-cbn-governor-finance-minister/

            https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/06/look-beyond-apc-solutions-economy/

      • Author’s gravatar

        The question we should be asking ourselves is, were they involved or not? And unfortunately they (the indicted) never addressed that. Please go and read all of the press releases by them, they never mentioned if they were involved or not. Please let us get our perspective right, there was a case of forgery against them which they didn’t deny….Shikena

        • Author’s gravatar

          You ned to see a medical doctor. Saraki and Ekweremadu have denied it over and over. In fact, they and even the Senate have said it that they were not even accused by petitioners or mentioned in the police report. So, what are you writing

          • Author’s gravatar

            Mumun I’d advise dunce like you to go back and read the letter/press release from them and show us where they mentioned they didn’t do it, they were all about Gov was persecuting them. By the way you need not to abuse anyone who didn’t agree with you

      • Author’s gravatar

        “PMB” is not dragging the “senate” to court.

        The Attorney General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, based on the powers conferred on his office by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the one that filed the charges against Saraki and Ekweremadu – and not the Senate – after the police had completed their investigation

        Saraki and Ekweremadu are not the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Principal officers of the senate come and go but the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will endure forever

        Saraki and Ekweremadu have lost their way.

        Having spent the last 16 years in government, and several years in the senate, they have convinced themselves that the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is their personal property. That is why when they were arraigned for the serious crime of forgery and conspiracy – in their delusion – they announced to 170 million Nigerians, their constituency, and their families, that it was the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that was arraigned

        That is also why when they were accused of having the audacity to forge our Senate standing order, they cried out that it was a family affair.

        The crime of forgery that Saraki and Ekweremadu are alleged to have committed, has nothing to do with how PMB has conducted business as our president or the unprecedented courage being exhibited by PMB in his fight against the hydra headed monsters – Boko Haram, Insecurity and Corruption,

        As you can recall, Saraki and Ekweremadu are alleged to have committed this brazen act of conspiracy and forgery – less than one month – after PMB was sworn into office, even before they criticized PMB for one day

        Saraki and Ekweremadu are relics of a distant past – 16 years of the idiotic PDP – that Nigerians want to wipe away from their memory. From falsifying asset declaration forms, to forging senate standing orders, to achieving nothing tangible for their constituencies in all their 16 years in office, both men have become too comfortable with public office and public business.

        They are bringing disrepute to our hallowed chambers. Impunity is dripping from them in the gallons. It is time for them to go

        They have money, they have enjoyed power for over 16 years. Why are they so selfish, sadistic, wicked and callous that, after profiting from Nigerian public offices, at the expense of Nigerians, for almost two decades, they still want to hold Nigerians down. They do not want Nigerians to get to the promised land.

        Did their mothers not give them a hug when they where growing up. What kind of nonsense is this

      • Author’s gravatar

        You sounds like a damned imbecile….grow a brain….

      • Author’s gravatar
      • Author’s gravatar

        Did they forge documents or not ? They should resign and clear their names regardless of PMB’s motive.

    • Author’s gravatar

      you are sick and brainless

    • Author’s gravatar

      Very well said, John Paul, thanks.

      P34c3
      …..

    • Author’s gravatar

      Look at these zombies all over. How can the country progress when they are so many of your type around. So the fight is all about FG taking control of the senate and not really about fighting corruption. Tufiakwa. This country na wa

  • Author’s gravatar

    To them that have ears…it’s however heart-warming that the Nigerian citizenry is enlightened & can not be bamboozled into believing the mischievous claims being trumped up by the legislative culprits.the rule is simple:if u can’t do the time,don’t do the crime!You can never eat your cake & still have it.All rigmarole shall fail & the law shall surely take its course.

  • Author’s gravatar

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    • Author’s gravatar

      If no one replied you, you will believe you make all the best of sense on the subject matter you have posted. Here is my response: the law isn’t emotional and sentimental. The law isn’t political; every given law is blind to human impunity and emotional outburst like yours. The presidency, of any given society, must be ready to be criticized and especially when it engages in same. Saraki and Ekweremadu are Nigerians and public office holders. They are already in court therefore it is small mind for the presidency to ask them to do what they have already done. You in your corner, maybe as much as mine, do not can CANNOT call them corrupt because one man or a group of people think so. This government tries, intimidates, and tarnishes the very image of the people it swore to protect. Please can you stop the name calling and look into your small corner and be sure that you have done the necessary good you can

  • Author’s gravatar

    Misleading headline: Resign or face trial. Are you infering that they will be pardoned if they resign?

    Meanwhile your report should have clarified on:
    1. The fact that Senator Saraki was not a principal officer at the time of the alleged forgery
    2. The constitution forbids law makers taking the Assembly to court
    3. Police investigation did not invite the accused.

    Meanwhile, I think the senators can defend themselves with the above points

  • Author’s gravatar

    Nobody is above the law and the senate as a whole is not been probed. If Senator Saraki and Senator Ekweremadu did nothing wrong, then they have nothing to fear. The international community that Senator Ekweremadu allegedly wrote cannot meddle into the internal affairs of a sovereign nation. This is purely an internal affairs and Nigeria has a rule of law that is strictly administered by the law courts and not the presidency.

    At the moment, let us follow this case with keen interest before we come to a conclusion and in the meantime the allegation by Senator Saraki and Senator Ekweremadu against the presidency is unfounded.

  • Author’s gravatar

    It will be a shame if Saraki & Ekweremadu are let off the hook without being jailed. Not many Nigerians understand the gravity of the crime the committed.
    Letting them off after resigning will re-enforce Saraki’s claim that he is being prosecuted because he was Senate President.
    “Wages of sin is death”. Forging Senate rules book to steal Senate leadership – is treasonable felony.

    • Author’s gravatar

      Thanks bro, so many Nigerians do not understand the gravity of the offence and are always quick to shift it to religion, it is not about religion, he cheated his way to that position, so he should face the music, that fact is that, his name even came up in the Panama papers, this man should apologies to Nigerians and step down, it’s a shame, this can only happen in Nigeria Why?

  • Author’s gravatar

    So if they resign it’s no longer forgery? This tells us what’s really going on.Nigeria is in trouble…

    • Author’s gravatar

      I think you all are missing out some things. Do not forget that these people in question pointed out the inefficiency of Mr President and not the presidency, so why is the Mr President not coming out to defend that but taking it through another route. I want you all to know that is not all that are one way traffic in this nation and also not everybody had sold their birthright. The fight against corruption is it really what they say it is- absolute no because if it is Fashola, Ameachi, Mr President(Wife-for Halliburton scandar), Fayemi and others which you and I know that form his cabinet should be publicly probe. It should even go back to Yaradua and Obasanjo Regime to probe. A man of Integrity sweareth to his hurt and changeth not but Buhari change you know that, so where is the Integrity? Why has he not order the EFCC to brobe Osun state that refused to pay Salary for some month and he (Mr President) is going to Ekiti. What a rubbish. Let him resign and go home and let someone else with good ideaology take over.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Apc are more sophisticated in playing politics than the real substance of governance.

  • Author’s gravatar

    “Resign or face your trial, government tells Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu”. I ask, so despite the offence, the aim of the Federal Government is to get the accused resign and vacate their office? Why did Buhari not resign as he was alleged to have forged his certificate? What a country and Government with no direction.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Good we have a man like Buhari in charge. Be sure they are not getting praises for forging the paper that put them in power! Such crime must be punished totally! Those who are misinforming Nigerians, Saraki and Ekweremadu believe that we are fools? We know why they are being PROSECUTED and not PERSECUTED! No nation would let this kind of rape on its people to continue. Because enough is enough for those who throw themselves on Nigerians and lord it over us!

  • Author’s gravatar

    Buhari from the onset did not hide his disgust for the Saraki/Enweremadu becoming the Senate President and Deputy Senate President and that has lingered on for sometime now. There is no gain saying that this matter have cost us man hours and there seems to be no end to it except for Buhari to leave them alone and manage the executive arm of the Government he is elected to lead.
    This intrusion into the Upper Chamber of the house is simply undemocratic and should be frowned at by every well meaning Nigerian.
    This democracy is not an extension of the Buhari/idiagbon military Government where people were treated with disdain. Those in support of this Executive recklessness should beware, after Saraki there will be someone else to face. It is all about witch hunting. I can understand the fight against corruption, but not this one.

  • Author’s gravatar

    These forgers have been offered a soft landing: resign from your Senate leadership positions and the trial would be terminated. I seriously advise them to choose this option.

    If they fail to seize the opportunity, they run the big risks of (a) losing the leadership positions, (b) losing their membership of the Senate, and (c) spending some time in jail.

    A word is enough for the wise o!

  • Author’s gravatar

    thats not even a good deal.
    lol… there are no guarantees with ‘the federal govt’ ..if you resigned the flipflop dishonest other set of crooks would still make you face the trial!
    given that nigerians do not have shame or honour.. they will be tried and they will drag the trial out as long as possible.
    so the senate will be shut down for 1 year and may not be able to pass laws at all… reckon this will get sorted out around the time of the 2017 budget…..

  • Author’s gravatar

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  • Author’s gravatar

    Curious One • 4 days ago
    Misleading headline: Resign or face trial. Are you infering that they will be pardoned if they resign?

    Meanwhile your report should have clarified on:
    1. The fact that Senator Saraki was not a principal officer at the time of the alleged forgery
    2. The constitution forbids law makers taking the Assembly to court
    3. Police investigation did not invite the accused.

    Meanwhile, I think the senators can defend themselves with the above points.
    (And the executives have some great forgers so what is the AGF doing about it?

  • Author’s gravatar

    I think you all are missing out some things. Do not forget that these people in question pointed out the inefficiency of Mr President and not the presidency, so why is the Mr President not coming out to defend that but taking it through another route. I want you all to know that is not all that are one way traffic in this nation and also not everybody had sold their birthright. The fight against corruption is it really what they say it is- absolute no because if it is Fashola, Ameachi, Mr President(Wife-for Halliburton scandar), Fayemi and others which you and I know that form his cabinet should be publicly probe. It should even go back to Yaradua and Obasanjo Regime to probe. A man of Integrity sweareth to his hurt and changeth not but Buhari change you know that, so where is the Integrity? Why has he not order the EFCC to brobe Osun state that refused to pay Salary for some month and he (Mr President) is going to Ekiti. What a rubbish. Let him resign and go home and let someone else with good ideaology take over.

    • Author’s gravatar

      “Mr President(Wife-for Halliburton scandar)”
      it shows you are not educated even when google is free to research and get correct info. you are too sentimental and that is why we are here. These are the types of reasoning and advise given to GEJ to mismanage Nigeria.
      They should even allow some people to cede as they are trying to. they are the problem of Nigeria. Had they been that they did not rig out their men in the then opposition party, would they not be present Senate president? would Nigerians be hearing all these kind of un-necessary disturbances here and there?
      Please let all of us be reasonable.