Saraki, Ekweremadu get September 28 court date

THE trial in the forgery case against Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others on Monday has been postponed.

The postponement followed the annual vacation of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Saraki, Ekweremadu, former Senate Clerk Salihu Abubakar Maikasuwa and Deputy Clerk of the Senate Benedict Efeturi were arraigned on June 27 before Justice Yusuf Haliru, of the High Court of the FCT in Jabi, on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and forgery.

They were accused, among others, of forging the Senate Standing Orders 2015, with which elections for the offices of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President of the Eighth Senate were conducted
The four defendants, who each, face a maximum of 14 years’ imprisonment on conviction, pleaded not guilty.
The court had, on the last date (June 27), adjourned to July 11 for commencement of trial.
When parties got to court on Monday, they were informed that the court’s annual vacation commenced earlier than anticipated.

Court officials told lawyers representing parties that a circular for the annual vacation became public last Friday, but became effective on Monday.

Parties agreed to return on September 28.
The defendants were all in court. While Abubakar entered the courtroom around 8:20 am, Saraki, Ekweremadu and Efeturi arrived by 8:50 am.

Saraki, Ekweremadu and Efeturi rode into the court premises in a long convoy of cars, accompanied by some members of the Senate and their supporters.

The Nation

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