The trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and two others on alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules has been adjourned to September 28, 2016.

The Jabi Division of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court billed to conduct the trial adjourned following the commencement of the yearly vacation of courts in the country after which the counsel agreed on the new date.

While the court did not sit, Saraki, Ekweremadu, immediate former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and Benedict Efeture, his deputy, who are defendants in the matter were present in court along with their counsel.

The Senate President, his deputy, Maikasuwa and Efeture were on June 27 docked before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on a two-count charge of forgery and consequently granted bail by the court the same day.

It would be recalled that the parties on June 27 pleaded not guilty to the charge, shortly after it was read to them, prompting their lawyers Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) for Maikasuwa, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) for Efeturi, Paul Erokoro (SAN) for Saraki and Joseph Daudu (SAN) for Ekwerenmadu to move application for bail for the defendants.

Counsel to the Federal Government and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Diri, who had vehemently opposed the bail of Ekwerenmadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi, had told the court that he had no opposition to the bail of Saraki on the ground that he is the President of the Senate and not to cripple the activities of the Senate.

He, however, stated his reason for opposing the bail on the ground that they are likely to evade trial, having allegedly evaded the service of the charges.

He also told the court that if convicted, the three defendants are likely to be jailed for 14 years and because of the gravity of the punishment, the court should be cautious in granting them bail.

Justice Halilu, after taking judicial notice of the positions of the defendants, stated that there was nothing by way of evidence to suggest that the defendants would jump bail if allowed to go home.

He said that the essence of bail is for defendants, who are presumed innocent by law, to ensure their attendance in court throughout the trial and that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 also lends support for bail for any Nigerian accused of bailable offences as in the instant case.

The judge in his ruling held that Section 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended presumed the defendants innocent of the charges against them and that it is normal and natural for them to be allowed on bail so as to prepare for their defence.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has appointed a new counsel, Aliyu Umar (SAN), to prosecute the criminal charge.

Umar is taking over from Mohammed Diri who on June 27, 2016 led the Federal Government legal team for the arraignment of the four who are standing trial before Justice Halilu Yusuf.