ABUJA – Formidable wall of security forces, uniform and plain clothes, was tunneled through yesterday by daring, desperate and determined journalists who had come to cover news event at the novel trial of the leaders of the legislative arm of government at the court of law.
Mr. Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa (immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly), Mr. Benedict Efeturi (Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly and Clerk of the Senate), Dr. Olubukola Saraki (No.3 Citizen, President of the Senate of the Federal Republic and Chairman of the National Assembly) and Ike Ekweremadu (No.5 Citizen, Deputy President of Senate), were standing trial in an Abuja High Court for forgery.
The offence: masterminding the usage of a bogus Senate Standing Rules for the July 9, 2015, election, through which the 3rd and 4th defendants took over leadership of the Senate; an offence punishable under Section 97 (1) and 364 of the Penal Code Act.
Standing larger than life, the heavily kitted security operatives had barred photo-journalists from gaining entrance into the court premises.
Their action instantly galvanized the pen and camera wielding correspondents to brave the menacing fire-arms cops, not minding possible consequences from such action.
Not even the threat of shooting could deter the news hounds as they pushed their way through, resulting in commotion which certain helpless bystanders, some of whom were Senators, took advantage of and dashed into the court.
It however took the intervention of very senior lawyers and court officials to persuade the mobile police men to grant the camera men entry into the premises.
Amidst the hullabaloo, were air renting chants from supporters of Saraki and Ekweremadu.
The FCT High Court in the Jabi area of Abuja, shares boundary with the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), where Senate President Saraki is also answering to another 16-count charge bordering on his alleged false/anticipatory declaration of assets.
Supporters of the embattled lawmakers thronged the court premises in their numbers to observe the proceeding.
Whereas Saraki who appeared calm all through the proceeding, wore his usual white Caftan with matching cap, his deputy, Ekweremadu adorned traditional Igbo attire.
Inside the Justice Yusuf Haliru Court, the two-count charge was read to each defendant who took turns to plead not guilty thus:
“That you, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or about, the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, conspired amongst yourselves to forge the Senate Standing Order, 2011 (as amended) and you thereby committed the offence of conspiracy, punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Law.
“That you, Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this court, with fraudulent intent, forged the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended), causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Order, 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria when you knew that the said Order was not made in compliance with the procedure for amendment of the Senate Order.
You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”
The charge marked CR/219/16, and dated June 10, was okayed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN.
