Forgery trial: Senators strategise on looming face-off
Senate President Bukola Saraki and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu
• ‘Like Minds’ Senators Plot Grounds
For Impeachment Of President
• As ‘Unity Forum’ Senators
Testify Against Saraki, Ekweremadu
The relationship between the Executive and Legislature is headed for further combat, following insistence by the Federal Government to prosecute the two presiding officers of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule.
Supporters of both Saraki and Ekweremadu called the Like Minds, have resolved to break the harmonious working relationship that had existed between the two arms of government.
Rising from a meeting in Abuja, yesterday, the group said it has decided to await the commencement of the trial, billed for tomorrow (Monday) at a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, before reeling out its reprisal actions against the executive.
However, senators against the Senate President, known as the Unity Forum, are set to testify against the two principal officers on the alleged forgery issue.
Those expected lined up to testify tomorrow include; Senators Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, who is the secretary of the forum and who actually is a signatory to petition to the police that triggered off the forgery matter, saraki’s main challenger in the senate presidency contest, Ahmed Lawal, Kabiru Marafa, Gbenga Ashafa, Robert Boroffice, Abu Ibrahim, Ojudu Babafemi.
It was gathered that the Like Minds Senators, whose number had risen to over 80, including Senators Aliu Wamakko, Dino Melaye, Saabi Aliu Abdullahi, Isah Misau, among others, are set to commence comprehensive investigation into some misdeeds of the executive with a view to exposing them.
The two count charges filed against Saraki and Ekweremadu include that of Conspiracy to commit forgery, as well the forgery act itself.
The suspension of consideration of the President’s 47 nominees for ambassadorial positions last Thursday might be the beginning of hostilities between the Executive and the legislative arm.
The alleged corrupt practices in the recruitment of staff into the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) is also another area the Senate would pay attention to when it resumes plenary session after the Sallah break in July.
It has already scheduled the issue on its Order Paper for consideration in the next legislative day.
Malami on Thursday, refused to appear before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, which had invited him over the planned prosecution of Saraki and Ekweremadu, for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Order 2015.
The Senate directed the committee to invite Malami for interrogation after adopting a motion moved by the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Melaye, who relied on order 14 and 52, to demand the approval of his colleagues for his two prayers including the invitation of the AGF and the genuineness of the Rule Book.
The red chamber mandated its panel to within two days summon the AGF to explain and justify with evidence the basis for his action.
The senators also want the committee to find out from Malami whether his action did not constitute gross misconduct, incompetence, contempt of court and abuse of office.
Just last week, the Senate described the planned trial of its presiding officers over alleged forgery of Senate Rules as a direct affront on the Legislature, which it noted, was forbidden by the Constitution.
Asking President Muhammadu Buhari to halt the desperation of some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other key officials of the Federal Government to destroy the National Assembly, the Senate noted that such desperation to get at perceived political enemies was the reason that the anti-corruption war had lost credibility.
A statement issued by the Senate through the chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, yesterday evening pointed out that “Nigeria’s democracy is in danger and that the attempt by the Executive Arm of the Federal Government to muzzle the legislature and criminalise legislative processes in order to cause leadership change in the National Assembly is a return to the era of impunity and lack of respect for due process, which we all fought to abolish.”
Captioned “Forgery Case, An Unconstitutional Violation of Principles of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances”, the statement noted that : “The Nigerian people have enough economic hardship at this time requiring the full attention and cooperation of the three arms of government, instead of these attempts to distract and politicise governance”
“We are in a state of economic emergency such that what the National Assembly needs at this time are executive bills and proposals aimed at resolving the crises of unemployment, currency depreciation, inflation, crime and insecurity. What the National Assembly needs now are executive bills to build and strengthen institutions to earn revenues, fight corruption and eliminate waste. Instead, we are getting hostile actions aimed at destabilising the National Assembly, distracting Senators from their oversight functions and ensuring good and accountable governance.” It added.
The Senate specifically charged President Muhammadu Buhari “to please call his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to order” adding the “the Senate of the Federal Republic voted freely to elect its leadership into office and continuing attempts to change that leadership through the wanton abuse of judicial processes cannot stand in the eyes of the world”
“It is clear that the Attorney General and party leaders behind this action either lack the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of Separation of Powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention or they just simply do not care if the present democracy in the country survives or collapses in their blinded determination to get Saraki and Ekweremadu by all means necessary, including abuse of office and sacking the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Statement added.
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38 Comments
I really think its time now for the SENATE to use their powers and CHECK all these EXECUTIVE impunities. Yes we all support the drive to clean up Nigeria and remove corruption from the system, but what we are seeing is a clear and brazing prosecution and muzzling of opposition, a desperate attempt to force leadership change in the SENATE and to silence anyone who speaks up to them. The fight of corruption must be done within the AMBIT OF THE CONSTITUTION and with regards to the rule of LAW.
Trashy submission.Unscrupulous.it’s all in sustenance of the “change” mantra.Oh do u now also regard Saraki as opposition?or u advocate that a perceived forgery act be overlooked like what obtained in the evil PDP rein?& how can u assume the status of the judiciary who monopolises the law interpretation function?what’s so difficult in appearing before the court to clear yourself as against this rigmarole?Is that not impunity itself?
I’m confused by this claim of forgery, aren’t there new senate rules every new senate. I read of new senate laws in 2003/07/11 why not 20015? Really there must be neater ways to get rid of a senate president please ask Obj because this is a farce.
It’s rather laughable that u still live in the impunity of the past.Change is here,where it’s no longer business as usual.Do u have any constitutional backing for the way it was done in d unconstitutional past?
What I wrote has nothing to do with the constitution, the point I’m making is every new senate has its own set of rules. New rules were passed which changed the 2011 rules just as the 2011 senate rules changed the 2007 senate rules. The problem here is that one side lost and has thus far refused to accept defeat. The leadership of Apc need to show more maturity in dealing with national issues.
Are u trying to justify those forgeries of the past simply because it was never opposed due to the rein of impunity as it then obtained?why not look forward to this educative week as the judiciary throws light on the grey areas?
Wow…they weren’t forgeries I imagine you know this, it’s not a grey area every senate adds to or takes from the standing senate rules and those become the new rules. The current senate did the same thing however because this administration is at odds it’s suddenly become a forgery case
Another point is what is the change you are talking about? Out of curiosity please could you give me examples?
I dont talk to ppl with fake names… use ur real name then we can talk.
you dont even know what forgery is… every senate has its own rule and this present senate wrote their own rule so what? must they use the previous house rules? you guys must know that politics is full of tricks. the new apc senators must learn the rules, the trial will end just as it started.
What an embarrassment to manhood! Need I say more?u sound so vague & bland that u don’t even qualify as an ignoramus.by the way,how did u get into dis forum?my eight year old son sounds more intellectually conscious.
I dont talk to ppl who fight and swear instead of saying their point…and if you raise ur son like this then you are both doomed…sorry sir
Neither do I engage afro-headed empty barrels in intellectual polemics,will rather hand u over to my son to school the ignorance out of u!
the son you trained to curse, fight and insult rather than discussing and sharing idea? you will kill your son by yourself by teaching him to join in your dirty fights. you are setting a bad example and you will regret it when he becomes a fighter and abuser like you…sorry sir just speaking my mind ooo jaare’ this is democracy but you guys wont allow ppl to enjoy the freedom of speech that comes wt it.
did you hear the court verdict ??? Justice KOLAWOLE???
Silly and Ignorant..MR TWITTER
It’s too obvious u do Class “A” drugs or currently out of job;or perhaps ur English comprehension is on the piteous side,otherwise u ought know I’m jubilating over the the verdict cos it has refused to stop Saraki et al from being tried!So…what’s ur own understanding if I may ask u afro-headed junkie?
Plz I don’t quite get what u driving at here,u wanna amplify perhaps!?
buhari is simply catching the high profile thieves. every corrupt person will have to answer one day. no one will escape. we must support buhari.
is Rotimi Amaechi a low profile thief? if yes what about Fashola and Tinubu, they are also low profile? what about Adams Oshiomole? please spare me that crap we all know our country and how we fight opposition not corruption.
you have very good points. my opinion of the thieves you mention is the same as yours.
bless you.
My friend please the constitution well and stop spreading ignorance
right now…who between us is ignorant of the laws and constitution? I cant stop laughing
If the court finds Saraki and Ekwerimadu guilt, what then will they do. Gosh, this government is really foolish if you ask me.
go to jail which they amply deserve.
Come on Eyobaba, law has to be followed what kind of example these two top people in the National Assembly are laying down for Nigerians, they’re crooks and they wanted to get to the top by all mean, why are they blaming president for there mistakes. Maybe you’re the one who’s foolish.
The Executive will enforced the law if the duo are found guilty, so that’s what they will do.
TWO UGLY FACES OF HIGH PROFILE FORGERS!!
SHAME ON YOU, YOU TWO SHAMELESS UGLY LOOTERS.
Thieves calling probable thieves,thieves. Nigeria will never seize to amaze me,corrupt simpletons will accuse others of corruption,even wanting to testify in court,when they themselves should be on trial,probably in jail too. Only in Nigeria. As ASA said in her famous song, ” I am in chains,you are in chains too,I wear uniform,you were uniforms too,I am a prisoner,you be prisoner too,Mr jailer”. Who is truly fooling who? Certainly not me.
you are absolutely correct, god bless you.
Looking at the unfolding events and comments of some folks in the forum it seems crime blood is running in the veins of many Nigeria.How can some elements of good for nothing be supporting this kind of criminal attitude. The leadership mantle of the country can not progress where many of the Honorable class can be forging document to perpetrate any acts. The first question to ask and take into consideration is to establish whether any crime has be committed, DID the accuser forge the Standing Rule , if the answer is yes let these two criminals face the ball, Any senator in support of such disrupt attitude and behavior that tarnish Nigeria image should be banned from future politics if this is to be an ordinary citizen would the law allowed him/her to go free, NO.
These bunch of criminals should stop threatening us
IF YOU CAN NOT DO THE TIME, DO NOT THE CRIME. END OF STORY
“It was gathered that the Like Minds Senators, …, are set to commence comprehensive investigation into some misdeeds of the executive with a view to exposing them.” These rogues are exposing their intellectual malnourishment in the open! What has the criminal acts of the two supposed “national leaders” got to do with the president? Now they want to waste tax payers money to carry out baseless investigations! Quite laughable. The senators also said they are waiting for executive bills on the economy and the rest. What stops them from taking the first step? Are they not representing Nigerians? Must they wait for the executive arm’s bills before they know what to do to better the lot of Nigerians? It is clear from their statements that they are bench warmers, money wasters with nothing to offer Nigerians! They didn’t have to wait for an executive bill before they bought luxury vehicles for themselves. They didn’t wait for an executive bill to arrogate fat life retirement benefits for themselves, but they need executive bill to legislate on the economy. It is a disaster Nigerians have these current set of people in the National Assembly.
Is Saraki in opposition party? What is brazzing prosecution and muzzling of opposition. People just talk to justify their rogue behaviour, no one is above the law including the law makers. The era of impunity has gone and must go forever. We do not want document forgers as our law maker otherwise they will be called law breakers.They should go and defend themselves, if they cone out clean that will be plus for them.
FORGERY IS GOOD FOR US?
Following the last paragraph,
So, according to our Senate, acceptance by the Nigerian Society and Psyche, of FORGERY, as an EMPOWERING DOCUMENTATION, IS AN ABSOLUTE FOR
“the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of Separation of Powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention”
Put another way, they are saying
We are filthy and we really have to live with filth and worse, WE MUST ACCEPT FILTH AS EXISTENTIAL TO OUR NATIONHOOD.
Is that what Ahmadu Bello, Zik, Awolowo, Ikemba, Osadebey, Aminu Kano, and other Constitutional and political giants worked and died for?
Is that what Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and other painters of social conscience all about?
Is that what our hard working fathers and mothers who work hard to put clothes on our back, and food on the table, and good thought processes in our brains, all about?
So, there was forgery, but the deed is done….so forget about it and MOVE ON?
When did it become an unacceptable practise to just go to court and clear your name? Or are these “up in arms” Senators afraid of the inevitable? A conscious acceptance that crime was committed but mustn’t be prosecuted? An implicit public display of impunity? By the very arm of government that made the law in the first place? Or is the law for lesser people?
Screw these “Like minds Senators! No wonder they have such fancy name.
Few hours from now Nigeria will witness a real fight. Eighty (80) Senators against the Executives. Reason: Love lost! These Eighty in the Red Chamber have an equivalent influence in the Green Chamber, it must be remembered. People do not follow others because they are saints, but because they represent their interest. There are several skeletons in the cupboard which the Executives are yet to address like the Halliburton issue. So there is no clear fight all round, people simply feel that the fight is selective. If the 80 begin impeachment proceedings against the President, harmlessly as it may start, like a stick of match, the fire begins to burn. What happened in Brazil may be a child’s play. My advise is let the sleeping dog lie. We have enough trouble in our hands – Boko Haram, IDPs situation, Fulani Herdsmen, Biafra agitation, failing economy going towards recession, with principal trade partners – Britain struggling, 22 states having difficulty paying salaries, Niger Delta Avengers, in addition to numerous others, do we still want to add this? Political and Constitutional crisis will soon begin, the President health condition to me may not be at its best to handle all these. He has already complained that Nigeria is hard to govern. As military junta it was easy, but in a democracy it is a different ball game. My take on this leave this matter for another day, lets face the issues now. Whatever the game plan APC must know it is on trial and the electorates are watching, Implement the Budget – feed the little children in school as you promised. Get vote of confidence from Nigerians first. People are hungry with the rise of bag of rice from N6,000 to N18,000 (minimum wage). As you as PMB feeds the people well, they will join to fight corruption, but when they are hungry, his effort means nothing.
When people who stole money, position and rub the Constitution are asked to face justice, some senselessly question why the opposition or ethnic brothers are being humiliated.
FESTUS KEYAMO wrote:
“Trace the history of those who are very angry
now on Twitter; they are either friends, relatives
or political associates of the thieves. It is simple.
‘One can constructively criticise a government on
different issues, but to oppose a government for
recovering monies belonging to all of us, I don’t
get it. “I thought that on the aggressive recovery
of loot, partisanship would be put aside, and
everyone would come together and say thank you
to the Federal Government. “A robber robs a
neighbourhood. A man pursues him and recovers
the loot. You come out and fume at the man for
tackling the robber too hard. This is insanity.”
Real insanity!
I hope all of you are watching as the events continue to unfold? we shall all know who is ignorant soon?
We will review and take appropriate action.