… Saraki, Ekweremadu celebrate

Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday described the verdict of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja dismissing the charges of forgery of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 and their subsequent discharge as a welcome development and a vindication of their position from the beginning of the case that they are innocent of the accusations leveled against them.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the presiding officers of the Senate said the court decision was consistent with their position that the case lacked any merit and the charge of forgery of the Senate Rule filed against them can never be substantiated by any fact.

The two men described the case as a “politically-induced distraction,” which came at a time when all hands must be on deck to solve the problem of economic recession biting the people, destroying homes and creating severe social disorientation in communities.

They, however, acknowledged that the federal government finally displayed courage and strength of character in halting the unnecessary waste of precious time of both parties by agreeing with the defence team that the case lacked merit and therefore should be discontinued.

“We express appreciation to all our colleagues in the Senate for their solid support and understanding while the case lasted.

“We also thank other parliamentarians in and out of the country and the international community as a whole for the consistent solidarity they displayed to us and their belief in our genuine cause since the commencement of the case.”