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Showing posts with label Ike Ekweremadu. Show all posts

London Secret Love SCANDAL Rocks Senator Ike Ekweremadu ...How He Splashes 2 BMW Cars, London Apartment On Secret Mistress EXPOSED

London Secret Love SCANDAL Rocks Senator Ike Ekweremadu ...How He Splashes 2 BMW Cars, London Apartment On Secret Mistress EXPOSED

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Ike Ekweremadu and White Lover
The scandals rocking the Nigeria's upper legislative house seem to have known no bound as the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is the latest.

Though Ekweremadu's scandalous affair still unverified, but Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye were prominent among Nigerian Senators enmeshed in various scandals, ranging from forgery, corruption and money laundering respectively.

The renown whistleblower media house, the Sahara Reporter has claimed in a single tweet that a lady who has pleaded to remain anonymous, has claimed that Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, recently bought his mistress two cars and got her a flat in London.


According to Sahara Reporters, the lawmaker purchased two BMWs (model is not named) for his mistress.

 Similarly. a certain Stephanie Otobo says she had an amoral affair with firebrand cleric, Apostle Suleman, the report still generating ripple even within the circle of the men of God.

Stephanie Otobo recently released more photos and video to back her claims. From all indications, the Canadian singer who accused the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, is not done yet. She came out with a new evidence to drive home her allegations against Apostle Suleman. NAIJ.com got hold of what she claims is the alleged original screen of her numerous Facetime chat with the Apostle. 

The face time in question is said to have happened on October 19, 2016, at 5.26pm according to the time-stamp on the phone. 
Ike Ekweremadu and White Lover
The scandals rocking the Nigeria's upper legislative house seem to have known no bound as the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is the latest.

Though Ekweremadu's scandalous affair still unverified, but Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye were prominent among Nigerian Senators enmeshed in various scandals, ranging from forgery, corruption and money laundering respectively.

The renown whistleblower media house, the Sahara Reporter has claimed in a single tweet that a lady who has pleaded to remain anonymous, has claimed that Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, recently bought his mistress two cars and got her a flat in London.


According to Sahara Reporters, the lawmaker purchased two BMWs (model is not named) for his mistress.

 Similarly. a certain Stephanie Otobo says she had an amoral affair with firebrand cleric, Apostle Suleman, the report still generating ripple even within the circle of the men of God.

Stephanie Otobo recently released more photos and video to back her claims. From all indications, the Canadian singer who accused the founder of Omega Fire Ministry, is not done yet. She came out with a new evidence to drive home her allegations against Apostle Suleman. NAIJ.com got hold of what she claims is the alleged original screen of her numerous Facetime chat with the Apostle. 

The face time in question is said to have happened on October 19, 2016, at 5.26pm according to the time-stamp on the phone. 
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SHOCKER: Saraki, Ekweremadu In Fresh N1b Monthly Cost Scandal As Senate Crisis WORSENS, Ndume Talks Tough

SHOCKER: Saraki, Ekweremadu In Fresh N1b Monthly Cost Scandal As Senate Crisis WORSENS, Ndume Talks Tough

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Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu
The senate leadership, specifically the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu have both been accused of at least N1 billion monthly shady operational cost each as the crisis rocking the upper legislative arm getting messy day-in and out, News Punch learned

The Sun Newspaper reported that the crisis currently rocking the Senate may be far from over, as the three key actors involved, namely, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Dino Melaye from Kogi State and the immediate-past Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, have returned to the trenches.

The crisis, which began late last year when the Senate rejected a $29.9 billion loan request sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari, may eventually lead to the suspension of Ndume, who is not ready to throw in the towel yet, despite the gathering storm against him.


Ndume had soon after the Senate rejected President Buhari’s loan request protested against the resolution. He was said to have visited the Presidential Villa where he held series of meetings with top government officials on how to prevail on the Senate to rescind its decision on the budget issue. Ndume’s move, it was learnt, angered Saraki and his loyalists, who were understood to be uncomfortable with that. Ndume was reportedly warned but did not take heed.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the first rejection of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Senate.

A day after the Senate took the decision, Ndume told State House correspondents that the Senate was yet to take a position on Magu. While the controversy lasted, he reportedly made efforts to woo lawmakers loyal to Saraki to support his new move. But upon resumption from the Christmas break, Saraki’s loyalists led by Melaye, gathered signatures from All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus members in the Senate against Ndume. He was eventually removed as Leader and was succeeded by Ahmad Lawan.

Since his removal as Senate Leader, Ndume has been fighting to take his pound of flesh, particularly from Saraki, who is believed to have covertly sanctioned his removal and Melaye who executed the deal.

It was gathered according to The Sun Newspaper that Ndume, who hails from Borno State and is currently facing trial over his alleged links with the dreaded Boko Haram, is making overtures to elements within the Presidency, who are perceived to be unrepentant enemies of Saraki. It was learnt that even though he appears to have lost support from his former ‘lieutenants’ in the Senate, he is threatening to spill the beans on what he knew while his relationship with Saraki lasted.

For instance, it was reliably gathered that Ndume is planning to mount pressure on the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly, where Saraki holds sway as chairman, to release details of the budget of the legislature, which has been a bone of contention for years. There were claims in some quarters recently that the Offices of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President spend at least N1 billion monthly on operational cost.

In February, Ndume openly condemned the secrecy associated with the budget of the Senate. He noted that lawmakers were not privy to the contents of Senate budget and called on Saraki, who doubles as chairman of the National Assembly, to make it public.

Ndume had said: “We are here to pass the budget without seeing the details. This is a government of change and this must change. The details of the budget report should be considered holistically. Last year, we had several issues with the budget. In fact, to some extent, it was very embarrassing.

“Some of us do not know what was/is in the budget because the details of the budget have never been provided and this should be done this year. Senators do not know the budget of the Senate.

It should be known this year and this is very important because we cannot be taking blames or hold credit for what we do not know.”
Last week, Ndume made another daring move when he instigated the Senate to probe Saraki over the purchase of a Range Rover Sport vehicle, which was seized by Customs officers, and Melaye over certificate forgery saga.

Saraki, who is believed to have finally secured the friendship of President Buhari, is not leaving anything to chance. Sunday Sun reliably learnt that efforts are in top gear to instigate a suspension move against Ndume.

Melaye, who is also having a running battle with Ndume, is believed to be spearheading the suspension move.

In the coming days or weeks, one of Saraki’s loyalists is expected to move a motion on the floor of the Senate and call for Ndume’s probe over allegations that he has been disparaging the Upper Legislative Chamber.

The issue will be referred to the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and a hurried report would expectedly be submitted, which would be used to nail Ndume and possibly suspend him for at least six months.

Sunday Sun also learnt that another motion may be sponsored by another Senator to urge the Senate to probe links of some lawmakers to Boko Haram.

The prime target, it was gathered, is Ndume who is currently facing trial over the same issue. There are fears, however, that Ndume may be standing alone as members of North-east caucus have switched camp and are currently supporting Lawan, who hails from the same geopolitical zone.

Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, could not be reached on how the Senate intends to resolve the lingering crisis. Series of calls to his mobile phone number were not answered.

Similarly, the Senate Leader, Senator Lawan declined to see the Sunday Sun correspondent when he made frantic efforts to get his reaction on how the Senate leadership intends to solve the tussle in the Red Chamber.

Source: The Sun Newspaper
Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu
The senate leadership, specifically the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu have both been accused of at least N1 billion monthly shady operational cost each as the crisis rocking the upper legislative arm getting messy day-in and out, News Punch learned

The Sun Newspaper reported that the crisis currently rocking the Senate may be far from over, as the three key actors involved, namely, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Dino Melaye from Kogi State and the immediate-past Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, have returned to the trenches.

The crisis, which began late last year when the Senate rejected a $29.9 billion loan request sent to it by President Muhammadu Buhari, may eventually lead to the suspension of Ndume, who is not ready to throw in the towel yet, despite the gathering storm against him.


Ndume had soon after the Senate rejected President Buhari’s loan request protested against the resolution. He was said to have visited the Presidential Villa where he held series of meetings with top government officials on how to prevail on the Senate to rescind its decision on the budget issue. Ndume’s move, it was learnt, angered Saraki and his loyalists, who were understood to be uncomfortable with that. Ndume was reportedly warned but did not take heed.

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the first rejection of Ibrahim Magu, the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by the Senate.

A day after the Senate took the decision, Ndume told State House correspondents that the Senate was yet to take a position on Magu. While the controversy lasted, he reportedly made efforts to woo lawmakers loyal to Saraki to support his new move. But upon resumption from the Christmas break, Saraki’s loyalists led by Melaye, gathered signatures from All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus members in the Senate against Ndume. He was eventually removed as Leader and was succeeded by Ahmad Lawan.

Since his removal as Senate Leader, Ndume has been fighting to take his pound of flesh, particularly from Saraki, who is believed to have covertly sanctioned his removal and Melaye who executed the deal.

It was gathered according to The Sun Newspaper that Ndume, who hails from Borno State and is currently facing trial over his alleged links with the dreaded Boko Haram, is making overtures to elements within the Presidency, who are perceived to be unrepentant enemies of Saraki. It was learnt that even though he appears to have lost support from his former ‘lieutenants’ in the Senate, he is threatening to spill the beans on what he knew while his relationship with Saraki lasted.

For instance, it was reliably gathered that Ndume is planning to mount pressure on the leadership of the Senate and the National Assembly, where Saraki holds sway as chairman, to release details of the budget of the legislature, which has been a bone of contention for years. There were claims in some quarters recently that the Offices of the Senate President and Deputy Senate President spend at least N1 billion monthly on operational cost.

In February, Ndume openly condemned the secrecy associated with the budget of the Senate. He noted that lawmakers were not privy to the contents of Senate budget and called on Saraki, who doubles as chairman of the National Assembly, to make it public.

Ndume had said: “We are here to pass the budget without seeing the details. This is a government of change and this must change. The details of the budget report should be considered holistically. Last year, we had several issues with the budget. In fact, to some extent, it was very embarrassing.

“Some of us do not know what was/is in the budget because the details of the budget have never been provided and this should be done this year. Senators do not know the budget of the Senate.

It should be known this year and this is very important because we cannot be taking blames or hold credit for what we do not know.”
Last week, Ndume made another daring move when he instigated the Senate to probe Saraki over the purchase of a Range Rover Sport vehicle, which was seized by Customs officers, and Melaye over certificate forgery saga.

Saraki, who is believed to have finally secured the friendship of President Buhari, is not leaving anything to chance. Sunday Sun reliably learnt that efforts are in top gear to instigate a suspension move against Ndume.

Melaye, who is also having a running battle with Ndume, is believed to be spearheading the suspension move.

In the coming days or weeks, one of Saraki’s loyalists is expected to move a motion on the floor of the Senate and call for Ndume’s probe over allegations that he has been disparaging the Upper Legislative Chamber.

The issue will be referred to the Senate committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and a hurried report would expectedly be submitted, which would be used to nail Ndume and possibly suspend him for at least six months.

Sunday Sun also learnt that another motion may be sponsored by another Senator to urge the Senate to probe links of some lawmakers to Boko Haram.

The prime target, it was gathered, is Ndume who is currently facing trial over the same issue. There are fears, however, that Ndume may be standing alone as members of North-east caucus have switched camp and are currently supporting Lawan, who hails from the same geopolitical zone.

Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, could not be reached on how the Senate intends to resolve the lingering crisis. Series of calls to his mobile phone number were not answered.

Similarly, the Senate Leader, Senator Lawan declined to see the Sunday Sun correspondent when he made frantic efforts to get his reaction on how the Senate leadership intends to solve the tussle in the Red Chamber.

Source: The Sun Newspaper
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Fresh N630m Fraud By Saraki, Dogara, Deputies UNCOVERED; How They Used Their Personal Houses As Conduit Pipe

Fresh N630m Fraud By Saraki, Dogara, Deputies UNCOVERED; How They Used Their Personal Houses As Conduit Pipe

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Saraki and Dogara
The quartet of Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; and his deputy, Lasun Yusuf, have been accused of financial fraud totaling N630,125,499.90. The accusation was made by an advocacy group, Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN), which said the four principal officers of the National Assembly executed the fraud by pressuring and using the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide them with accommodation. This is in spite of the fact that the monetization policy of the Federal Government bars all agencies from using taxpayers money for to meet personal demands of public officers outside the provisions of the law.


An independent investigation it conducted, disclosed CATBAN, showed that in March 2016, the four principal officers of the National Assembly approached the management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide them with residential accommodation. This, it said, was sequel to a plan perfected by an agent acting between the National Assembly and FCDA to steal money via dubious accommodation requests.

 The requests, revealed CATBAN, were approved within 48 hours and followed with fund disbursement, an indication of the desperation to quickly get the money. The four principal officers added CATBAN, then presented companies that doubled as estate agents and property owners for the exercise. The companies used were Gogetit Investment Limited, which used a Zenith Bank account to receive the money, Legendark Consult Limited, which used a Guaranty Trust Bank account to reeive its own share, and Pitch Global Services, which has an account domiciled with Heritage Bank.

Through the four companies, CATBAN said it found that the sum of N630,125,499.90 was fraudulently paid by the FCDA for phoney renting, renovation and furnishing of four properties as official residences for Messrs. Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara and Lasun.

Messrs. Saraki and Dogara, the group noted, presented residential properties owned by them as rented houses, while Messrs. Ekweremadu and Lasun did not present any residential property, but collected their share of the money. The Senate President, for example, presented a property acquired while he was governor of Kwara State for which he was illegally paid a total sum of N200million.

 For the property, which is located at No. 48 Lake Chad Crescent in Abuja’s Maitama District, Mr. Saraki received N113,095,238.00 and N11,904,761.90 in Value Added Tax (VAT) as rent.

For furnishing, he received N67,857,142.86 and VAT of N7,142,857.14.

On his part, the House of Representatives Speaker presented a property built for him by a controversial property developer also known as Alhaji AA Oil.  The house is located at 9 Persian Gulf Close, off Euphrates Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, the building illegally fetched Mr. Dogara N73m and VAT of N7m as rent. For furnishing, the Speaker creamed off N63m and VAT of N6m giving him an aggregate of N150m.

Deputy Senate President, Mr. Ekweremadu, who did not bother to present a property walked away with N90m and VAT of N9m a s rent, N45,084,285.72 plus VAT of N4,745,714.28 for furnishing, leaving him with a not exactly shoddy aggregate of N150m. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, like Mr. Ekweremadu, did not present a property but netted a total of N130million.

 According to CATBAN’s investigation, Mr. Lasun illegally got N62m and N6,571,428.58 in VAT for rent, while pocketing N55, 190,476.18 and VAT of N5,809,523.82 for furnishing

CATBAN noted that the discoveries made during its investigation have put a huge question mark on the integrity of the National Assembly leadership and brought into sharper focus the sweeping corruption afflicting the country. CATBAN argued that the affected principal officers must be made to refund the illegally taken sums.

“Based on the above, we demand an immediate refund of our taxpayers’ money stolen by these principal officers and subsequently call on the Nigerian Police Force and all relevant security agencies to wade into the situation and ensure that justice is served. We also want to remind all senators and members of House of Representatives that they are duty bound to ensure appropriate sanctions against their colleagues, who have soiled the image of the National Assembly,” said CATBAN.

The group warned that if members of the National Assembly fail to apply appropriate action against the affected officers, it will mobilise Nigerians to protest at the National Assembly Complex to demand appropriate action.

CATBAN argued that the National Assembly has all its statutory earning and allowances properly fixed and spelt out by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Act, 2002.

The law, CATBAN added, gives the National Assembly the power and control over its own budget and expenditure, including payment of all forms of allowances. The RMAFC, observed the group, calculates the remuneration packages for political, public and judicial office holders is calculated in relation to the percentages of their basic salaries.

“For example, each Nigerian Senator receives 150% of his/her annual basic salary as accommodation allowance, while each member of our Federal House of Representatives gets the same equivalent.

“In view of this, the appropriate accommodation allowance for the Senate President is N3,720,000.00 and that of his Deputy is N3,451,500.00. In the case of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, his accommodation allowance is N3,705,000.00, while his deputy is entitled to N3,435,000.00,” noted CATBAN.

The group said it established the fact that the National Assembly has always been well taken care of in terms of receipt of allocations and allowances, which implies that all members, including the principal officers of both chambers, have been promptly receiving the statutory allocations, including for accommodation.

Excerpted From Sahara Reporters
Saraki and Dogara
The quartet of Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara; and his deputy, Lasun Yusuf, have been accused of financial fraud totaling N630,125,499.90. The accusation was made by an advocacy group, Citizens Action to Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN), which said the four principal officers of the National Assembly executed the fraud by pressuring and using the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide them with accommodation. This is in spite of the fact that the monetization policy of the Federal Government bars all agencies from using taxpayers money for to meet personal demands of public officers outside the provisions of the law.


An independent investigation it conducted, disclosed CATBAN, showed that in March 2016, the four principal officers of the National Assembly approached the management of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to provide them with residential accommodation. This, it said, was sequel to a plan perfected by an agent acting between the National Assembly and FCDA to steal money via dubious accommodation requests.

 The requests, revealed CATBAN, were approved within 48 hours and followed with fund disbursement, an indication of the desperation to quickly get the money. The four principal officers added CATBAN, then presented companies that doubled as estate agents and property owners for the exercise. The companies used were Gogetit Investment Limited, which used a Zenith Bank account to receive the money, Legendark Consult Limited, which used a Guaranty Trust Bank account to reeive its own share, and Pitch Global Services, which has an account domiciled with Heritage Bank.

Through the four companies, CATBAN said it found that the sum of N630,125,499.90 was fraudulently paid by the FCDA for phoney renting, renovation and furnishing of four properties as official residences for Messrs. Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara and Lasun.

Messrs. Saraki and Dogara, the group noted, presented residential properties owned by them as rented houses, while Messrs. Ekweremadu and Lasun did not present any residential property, but collected their share of the money. The Senate President, for example, presented a property acquired while he was governor of Kwara State for which he was illegally paid a total sum of N200million.

 For the property, which is located at No. 48 Lake Chad Crescent in Abuja’s Maitama District, Mr. Saraki received N113,095,238.00 and N11,904,761.90 in Value Added Tax (VAT) as rent.

For furnishing, he received N67,857,142.86 and VAT of N7,142,857.14.

On his part, the House of Representatives Speaker presented a property built for him by a controversial property developer also known as Alhaji AA Oil.  The house is located at 9 Persian Gulf Close, off Euphrates Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, the building illegally fetched Mr. Dogara N73m and VAT of N7m as rent. For furnishing, the Speaker creamed off N63m and VAT of N6m giving him an aggregate of N150m.

Deputy Senate President, Mr. Ekweremadu, who did not bother to present a property walked away with N90m and VAT of N9m a s rent, N45,084,285.72 plus VAT of N4,745,714.28 for furnishing, leaving him with a not exactly shoddy aggregate of N150m. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, like Mr. Ekweremadu, did not present a property but netted a total of N130million.

 According to CATBAN’s investigation, Mr. Lasun illegally got N62m and N6,571,428.58 in VAT for rent, while pocketing N55, 190,476.18 and VAT of N5,809,523.82 for furnishing

CATBAN noted that the discoveries made during its investigation have put a huge question mark on the integrity of the National Assembly leadership and brought into sharper focus the sweeping corruption afflicting the country. CATBAN argued that the affected principal officers must be made to refund the illegally taken sums.

“Based on the above, we demand an immediate refund of our taxpayers’ money stolen by these principal officers and subsequently call on the Nigerian Police Force and all relevant security agencies to wade into the situation and ensure that justice is served. We also want to remind all senators and members of House of Representatives that they are duty bound to ensure appropriate sanctions against their colleagues, who have soiled the image of the National Assembly,” said CATBAN.

The group warned that if members of the National Assembly fail to apply appropriate action against the affected officers, it will mobilise Nigerians to protest at the National Assembly Complex to demand appropriate action.

CATBAN argued that the National Assembly has all its statutory earning and allowances properly fixed and spelt out by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Act, 2002.

The law, CATBAN added, gives the National Assembly the power and control over its own budget and expenditure, including payment of all forms of allowances. The RMAFC, observed the group, calculates the remuneration packages for political, public and judicial office holders is calculated in relation to the percentages of their basic salaries.

“For example, each Nigerian Senator receives 150% of his/her annual basic salary as accommodation allowance, while each member of our Federal House of Representatives gets the same equivalent.

“In view of this, the appropriate accommodation allowance for the Senate President is N3,720,000.00 and that of his Deputy is N3,451,500.00. In the case of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, his accommodation allowance is N3,705,000.00, while his deputy is entitled to N3,435,000.00,” noted CATBAN.

The group said it established the fact that the National Assembly has always been well taken care of in terms of receipt of allocations and allowances, which implies that all members, including the principal officers of both chambers, have been promptly receiving the statutory allocations, including for accommodation.

Excerpted From Sahara Reporters
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2019: 20 APC Senators Plot Secret Return To Join PDP; Set To Declare Defection If ...

2019: 20 APC Senators Plot Secret Return To Join PDP; Set To Declare Defection If ...

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2019: 20 APC Senators Set To Join PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it is alive and ready to take over from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

That was just as the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said about 20 serving senators of the ruling APC were ready to join the PDP once the leadership crisis in the PDP is resolved. Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said those who left PDP to APC in the South East have no electoral value, and are joining APC for contracts and employment opportunities.

“My response is that, my brothers and sisters from the South East, who are defecting know the electoral value of each and everyone of us. “We should allow them get the contract they are looking for, to get employment they are looking for.


At the appropriate time we will know who is who in the South East. There is nothing to worry about. We are completely in control,” Ekweremadu stated. At its 73rd National Executive Committee (NEC) and Expanded Caucus Meeting in Abuja yesterday, the party leaders said the party was repositioning to be much more vibrant to play the role as main opposition in the country.

Two governors and six deputy governors, as well as members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Assembly caucus attended the meeting, which was presided over by Chairman of the National Working Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. Akpabio, who said that PDP senators in the National Assembly are intact and supportive of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, noted that all the APC senators want is a return of peace to the PDP.

“As I speak, so many senators from the opposing party are eager to join PDP. All they want is return of peace to the party. Once that is done, I can assure you that 20 senators are on their way to joining the PDP,” he added.

“There is no election that will be conducted in the former PDP 28 states that the party will not win. That is a matter of fact. Akpabio regretted the leadership crisis in the party, noting that it caused the PDP Edo and Ondo states. He decried the recent court injunctions in Ekiti State, adding, “I need to emphasise that if we don’t put our house in order, we may not win election.

“Anambra election is coming up in November this year. If we as a party don’t go down to grassroots and we continue to make flowery speech, we may not rebuild the party.” He advised those who are thinking of defection to retrace their steps because PDP would bounce back to victory in 2009. Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, said the entire country is tired of APC and are yearning for another change. “The whole country is not only tired of the ruling party, they want another change.

If not for the constitution, they want the change tomorrow.” According to Fayose, party leaders should work together while those aspiring for offices should do so with decorum. “I will continue to leak their secrets. I will remain a torn in their flesh.

Anything they want to do, let them come. If they want to carry their police, let them carry their police. I don’t care,” he said.
2019: 20 APC Senators Set To Join PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it is alive and ready to take over from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

That was just as the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said about 20 serving senators of the ruling APC were ready to join the PDP once the leadership crisis in the PDP is resolved. Also, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said those who left PDP to APC in the South East have no electoral value, and are joining APC for contracts and employment opportunities.

“My response is that, my brothers and sisters from the South East, who are defecting know the electoral value of each and everyone of us. “We should allow them get the contract they are looking for, to get employment they are looking for.


At the appropriate time we will know who is who in the South East. There is nothing to worry about. We are completely in control,” Ekweremadu stated. At its 73rd National Executive Committee (NEC) and Expanded Caucus Meeting in Abuja yesterday, the party leaders said the party was repositioning to be much more vibrant to play the role as main opposition in the country.

Two governors and six deputy governors, as well as members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and National Assembly caucus attended the meeting, which was presided over by Chairman of the National Working Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi. Akpabio, who said that PDP senators in the National Assembly are intact and supportive of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, noted that all the APC senators want is a return of peace to the PDP.

“As I speak, so many senators from the opposing party are eager to join PDP. All they want is return of peace to the party. Once that is done, I can assure you that 20 senators are on their way to joining the PDP,” he added.

“There is no election that will be conducted in the former PDP 28 states that the party will not win. That is a matter of fact. Akpabio regretted the leadership crisis in the party, noting that it caused the PDP Edo and Ondo states. He decried the recent court injunctions in Ekiti State, adding, “I need to emphasise that if we don’t put our house in order, we may not win election.

“Anambra election is coming up in November this year. If we as a party don’t go down to grassroots and we continue to make flowery speech, we may not rebuild the party.” He advised those who are thinking of defection to retrace their steps because PDP would bounce back to victory in 2009. Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, said the entire country is tired of APC and are yearning for another change. “The whole country is not only tired of the ruling party, they want another change.

If not for the constitution, they want the change tomorrow.” According to Fayose, party leaders should work together while those aspiring for offices should do so with decorum. “I will continue to leak their secrets. I will remain a torn in their flesh.

Anything they want to do, let them come. If they want to carry their police, let them carry their police. I don’t care,” he said.
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PDP, APC Senators Spur For War As Plot To Sack Ekweremadu Thickens, Ready For Fight To Finnish

PDP, APC Senators Spur For War As Plot To Sack Ekweremadu Thickens, Ready For Fight To Finnish

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The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to call the bluff of the All Progressives Congress senators who asked him to defect to their party in order to retain his seat.

The APC senators, who are in the majority in the Senate, had asked Ekweremadu to defect from the PDP to the ruling party so that he could continue to have their support.

The majority senators said this after they had seamlessly removed the Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, and replaced him with Ahmed Lawan.


However, the PDP asked Ekweremadu, who is the highest political office-holder from the opposition party, not to dance to the tune of the APC senators.

The PDP assured Ekweremadu that nothing would happen to him.

The spokesperson for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Adeyeye said it was wrong for Senator Kabiru Marafa of the APC to have called on Ekweremadu on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday to defect from the PDP to the ruling APC.

Adeyeye said the call on Ekweremadu was unconstitutional and undemocratic.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator Kabiru Marafa on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, in which he advised Senator Ike Ekweremadu to defect to the APC in order to remain as the Deputy Senate President.

“This call is unconstitutional, undemocratic and, to say the least, unbecoming of Senator Marafa.”

While calling on Ekweremadu to defect, Marafa had said,  “I am using this medium to call on Ekweremadu to simply defect. Section 68(G) of the 1999 Constitution captures this.”

Adeyeye, however, said there was no section of the constitution that stipulated that one must belong to the ruling party to hold an elective office in either the Senate or the House of Representatives.

The former Minister of Works said, “There is no section or clause of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) that provides that one must be a member of the ruling party before he/she can be elected into any position in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

“Equally, it is very distasteful and uncharitable for any senator to stand on the floor of the hallowed chamber and ask his colleague to violate the constitution by cross-carpeting from his own party to join the ruling party.

“Note that it is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not the Senate of the APC.”

Adeyeye insisted that Senator Marafa was wrong in using the crisis in the PDP as an excuse to call on Ekweremadu to defect.

The PDP is currently divided into two factions.

While Makarfi is leading a group, a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, is leading the other faction.

But Adeyeye maintained that the PDP was not factionalised.

He said, “It is indeed laughable for Senator Marafa to cite the internal issues in the PDP as a reason for Senator Ekweremadu to defect.

“For the umpteenth time, let us reiterate that there is no faction in the PDP.

“A party is only factionalised when its organs are in disarray but this is different from what we have in the PDP where all the organs are intact behind the National Caretaker Committee under the chairmanship of Makarfi.

“A mere rebellion by a small interest group within the party cannot be referred to as factionalisation of the party.”

In view of this, he said any member of the PDP who used the current leadership disagreement caused by “the rebellious group led by the former Borno State governor, Senator Sheriff to defect is doing so at his or her peril.”

“Senator Marafa or any other member of the APC has no power to make such demands on a member of the PDP,” he added.

He reminded Marafa that Ekweremadu was elected as Deputy Senate President by majority votes from both the PDP and the APC senators.

“Any attempt to remove Senator Ekweramadu for being a member of the opposition party and not because of a constitutional breach or incompetence is a call for anarchy,” he added.

Adeyeye also said the current situation in the Senate where the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President were from different parties should not continue to appear strange to Marafa and his likes in a democratic system.

Excerpted From Punch Newspaper
The National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has asked the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to call the bluff of the All Progressives Congress senators who asked him to defect to their party in order to retain his seat.

The APC senators, who are in the majority in the Senate, had asked Ekweremadu to defect from the PDP to the ruling party so that he could continue to have their support.

The majority senators said this after they had seamlessly removed the Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume, and replaced him with Ahmed Lawan.


However, the PDP asked Ekweremadu, who is the highest political office-holder from the opposition party, not to dance to the tune of the APC senators.

The PDP assured Ekweremadu that nothing would happen to him.

The spokesperson for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Adeyeye said it was wrong for Senator Kabiru Marafa of the APC to have called on Ekweremadu on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday to defect from the PDP to the ruling APC.

Adeyeye said the call on Ekweremadu was unconstitutional and undemocratic.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to Senator Kabiru Marafa on the floor of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, in which he advised Senator Ike Ekweremadu to defect to the APC in order to remain as the Deputy Senate President.

“This call is unconstitutional, undemocratic and, to say the least, unbecoming of Senator Marafa.”

While calling on Ekweremadu to defect, Marafa had said,  “I am using this medium to call on Ekweremadu to simply defect. Section 68(G) of the 1999 Constitution captures this.”

Adeyeye, however, said there was no section of the constitution that stipulated that one must belong to the ruling party to hold an elective office in either the Senate or the House of Representatives.

The former Minister of Works said, “There is no section or clause of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) that provides that one must be a member of the ruling party before he/she can be elected into any position in the Senate or the House of Representatives.

“Equally, it is very distasteful and uncharitable for any senator to stand on the floor of the hallowed chamber and ask his colleague to violate the constitution by cross-carpeting from his own party to join the ruling party.

“Note that it is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not the Senate of the APC.”

Adeyeye insisted that Senator Marafa was wrong in using the crisis in the PDP as an excuse to call on Ekweremadu to defect.

The PDP is currently divided into two factions.

While Makarfi is leading a group, a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, is leading the other faction.

But Adeyeye maintained that the PDP was not factionalised.

He said, “It is indeed laughable for Senator Marafa to cite the internal issues in the PDP as a reason for Senator Ekweremadu to defect.

“For the umpteenth time, let us reiterate that there is no faction in the PDP.

“A party is only factionalised when its organs are in disarray but this is different from what we have in the PDP where all the organs are intact behind the National Caretaker Committee under the chairmanship of Makarfi.

“A mere rebellion by a small interest group within the party cannot be referred to as factionalisation of the party.”

In view of this, he said any member of the PDP who used the current leadership disagreement caused by “the rebellious group led by the former Borno State governor, Senator Sheriff to defect is doing so at his or her peril.”

“Senator Marafa or any other member of the APC has no power to make such demands on a member of the PDP,” he added.

He reminded Marafa that Ekweremadu was elected as Deputy Senate President by majority votes from both the PDP and the APC senators.

“Any attempt to remove Senator Ekweramadu for being a member of the opposition party and not because of a constitutional breach or incompetence is a call for anarchy,” he added.

Adeyeye also said the current situation in the Senate where the Senate President and the Deputy Senate President were from different parties should not continue to appear strange to Marafa and his likes in a democratic system.

Excerpted From Punch Newspaper
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Defect Or Be SACKED - Saraki's Colleagues Threaten Ekweremadu Daringly, PDP Kicks

Defect Or Be SACKED - Saraki's Colleagues Threaten Ekweremadu Daringly, PDP Kicks

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Saraki and Ekweremadu
The relative peace at the Nigerian Senate in recent time may be heading to an end as fresh leadership tussle may engulf over plot by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki's colleagues in the All Progressives Congress, APC plot to reclaim the seat of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu emerged at the chamber during plenary on Wednesday News Punch has learned reliably

This is coming 24 hours after the All Progressives Congress caucus in the Senate sacked Senator Ali Ndume as Majority Leader and replaced him with Senator Ahmed Lawan


2 members of the APC caucus, in a daring manner specifically called on the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to defect to the APC during the session, report according to Punch Newspaper says

Ndume, who also spoke on Order 43 to make personal explanations during the plenary, hinted that the APC caucus might be planning Ekweremadu’s ouster.

Ekweremadu is of the minority Peoples Democratic Party.

It was gathered that Senator Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central), a prominent member of the pro-Lawan Senate Unity Forum, the group within the APC caucus loyal to the ruling party, had hinted on Tuesday that Ekweremadu should defect to the APC to retain his post.

 He stated that the position of the Deputy Senate President belonged to the party with the majority.

Marafa recalled that the national leadership of the APC had written to Saraki, asking him to cede four positions in the Senate to the SUF members loyal to the party.

The positions are Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip.

All these positions, except the Deputy Senate President, are currently occupied by the APC lawmakers.

At the plenary on Wednesday, Marafa, while moving a motion for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday’s plenary, urged Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, to defect to the APC.

Seconding the motion, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West), similarly called on the Deputy Senate President to join the APC.

Reacting, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji (PDP, Ebonyi South), described the call for Ekweremadu’s defection as a joke, stating that the Deputy Senate President was not done with the PDP yet.

While putting the motion to a vote, Ekweremadu put the question that the votes and proceedings of Tuesday be adopted while “the other issue be duly removed.”

Ekweremadu (Enugu West), who was the Deputy Senate President in the 6th and 7th Senate when the PDP had the majority, had retained the position in the 8th Senate despite the APC being in the majority.

Marafa had told select journalists at the Senate on Tuesday, shortly after Ndume’s sacking, that the APC caucus might be moving to reclaim Ekweremadu’s post except the Deputy Senate President defected to the APC.

In what sounded like a warning on the move by the APC caucus to remove Ekweremadu, Ndume, while raising his point of order stressed, “I want to say that this Senate is an institution that we must protect. How do you protect the institution? It is to obey the rules and the tradition. If today, just like that, without telling somebody (about his offence) and he goes out; if it is Ndume today and it is (agreed to be) okay, it may be, God forbid, Ekweremadu tomorrow.”

But the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, when contacted on the telephone on Wednesday night, said Ekweremadu would remain in the PDP.

“My boss remains a bonafide and committed member of the PDP,” he said.

 The Deputy Senate President thanked the ex-Senate Leader for his service to the National Assembly after serving in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, in which he had headed critical committees.
Saraki and Ekweremadu
The relative peace at the Nigerian Senate in recent time may be heading to an end as fresh leadership tussle may engulf over plot by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki's colleagues in the All Progressives Congress, APC plot to reclaim the seat of the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu emerged at the chamber during plenary on Wednesday News Punch has learned reliably

This is coming 24 hours after the All Progressives Congress caucus in the Senate sacked Senator Ali Ndume as Majority Leader and replaced him with Senator Ahmed Lawan


2 members of the APC caucus, in a daring manner specifically called on the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to defect to the APC during the session, report according to Punch Newspaper says

Ndume, who also spoke on Order 43 to make personal explanations during the plenary, hinted that the APC caucus might be planning Ekweremadu’s ouster.

Ekweremadu is of the minority Peoples Democratic Party.

It was gathered that Senator Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central), a prominent member of the pro-Lawan Senate Unity Forum, the group within the APC caucus loyal to the ruling party, had hinted on Tuesday that Ekweremadu should defect to the APC to retain his post.

 He stated that the position of the Deputy Senate President belonged to the party with the majority.

Marafa recalled that the national leadership of the APC had written to Saraki, asking him to cede four positions in the Senate to the SUF members loyal to the party.

The positions are Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip.

All these positions, except the Deputy Senate President, are currently occupied by the APC lawmakers.

At the plenary on Wednesday, Marafa, while moving a motion for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday’s plenary, urged Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, to defect to the APC.

Seconding the motion, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa West), similarly called on the Deputy Senate President to join the APC.

Reacting, Senator Sonni Ogbuoji (PDP, Ebonyi South), described the call for Ekweremadu’s defection as a joke, stating that the Deputy Senate President was not done with the PDP yet.

While putting the motion to a vote, Ekweremadu put the question that the votes and proceedings of Tuesday be adopted while “the other issue be duly removed.”

Ekweremadu (Enugu West), who was the Deputy Senate President in the 6th and 7th Senate when the PDP had the majority, had retained the position in the 8th Senate despite the APC being in the majority.

Marafa had told select journalists at the Senate on Tuesday, shortly after Ndume’s sacking, that the APC caucus might be moving to reclaim Ekweremadu’s post except the Deputy Senate President defected to the APC.

In what sounded like a warning on the move by the APC caucus to remove Ekweremadu, Ndume, while raising his point of order stressed, “I want to say that this Senate is an institution that we must protect. How do you protect the institution? It is to obey the rules and the tradition. If today, just like that, without telling somebody (about his offence) and he goes out; if it is Ndume today and it is (agreed to be) okay, it may be, God forbid, Ekweremadu tomorrow.”

But the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, when contacted on the telephone on Wednesday night, said Ekweremadu would remain in the PDP.

“My boss remains a bonafide and committed member of the PDP,” he said.

 The Deputy Senate President thanked the ex-Senate Leader for his service to the National Assembly after serving in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, in which he had headed critical committees.
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Senate Upturns FG Ban On Importation Of vehicles Through Land Borders

Senate Upturns FG Ban On Importation Of vehicles Through Land Borders

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Bukola Saraki
The Senate has called for the reversal of the Federal Government’s policy banning the importation of cars through land borders.

The ban took effect from January 1, 2017.

According to the Senate, the ban will lead to a loss of 500,000 jobs.

The lawmakers, who heavily criticised the policy during the plenary on Wednesday, described the ban as anti-poor.


The issue was brought through a motion titled, ‘The Ban on the Importation of Vehicles Through the Land Borders into the Country’, jointly moved by Senators Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), Shehu Sani (Kadana Central) and Ali Wakili (Bauchi South).

The lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected the policy, while asking Nigeria Customs Service to immediately suspend implementation of the policy.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the cries of Nigerians and reverse the policy.

Ekweremadu said, “From the contributions made, it is obvious that the policy is unpopular. We are representatives of the people and the people have spoken through us that they do not want this policy. I think those in government should listen to them.”

The Senate also directed its Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate the circumstances that led to the sudden decision of the Federal Government to place a ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders.

More lawmakers who took their turns to speak on the policy condemned it.

Bukola Saraki
The Senate has called for the reversal of the Federal Government’s policy banning the importation of cars through land borders.

The ban took effect from January 1, 2017.

According to the Senate, the ban will lead to a loss of 500,000 jobs.

The lawmakers, who heavily criticised the policy during the plenary on Wednesday, described the ban as anti-poor.


The issue was brought through a motion titled, ‘The Ban on the Importation of Vehicles Through the Land Borders into the Country’, jointly moved by Senators Barau Jibrin (Kano North), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South), Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), Shehu Sani (Kadana Central) and Ali Wakili (Bauchi South).

The lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected the policy, while asking Nigeria Customs Service to immediately suspend implementation of the policy.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the cries of Nigerians and reverse the policy.

Ekweremadu said, “From the contributions made, it is obvious that the policy is unpopular. We are representatives of the people and the people have spoken through us that they do not want this policy. I think those in government should listen to them.”

The Senate also directed its Committee on Customs and Excise to investigate the circumstances that led to the sudden decision of the Federal Government to place a ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders.

More lawmakers who took their turns to speak on the policy condemned it.

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Ekweremadu Next On Card Likely To Be Removed At The Senate - Sacked Ndume Reveals

Ekweremadu Next On Card Likely To Be Removed At The Senate - Sacked Ndume Reveals

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A former Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume, has said the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, may be the next to lose his leadership position in the Senate.

Ndume, who was sacked by the All Progressives Congress caucus in the Senate on Tuesday, made the claim during plenary on Wednesday while decrying the way he was removed.

He said, “If today, just like that, without telling somebody and he goes out (is removed) … If it is Ndume today and he goes out, it may be, God forbid, Ekweremadu tomorrow,” he said.


Although Ndume accepted the decision of the APC lawmakers to remove him as Senate majority leader and thanked them for the opportunity giving to him, he insisted that he wasn’t given a fair hearing by the lawmakers.

He said this was more so because he had attempted to resign from the position for the sake of unity among the lawmakers thrice before his removal.

Ndume, along with Ekweremadu, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Senate President Bukola Saraki had emerged as leaders of the Senate contrary to the wish of the All Progressives Congress.

His claim hints at an attempt to remove all of them. This is more so as he was replaced by Sen. Ahmed Lawal, who had been the party’s preferred candidate for Senate President.

A former Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume, has said the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, may be the next to lose his leadership position in the Senate.

Ndume, who was sacked by the All Progressives Congress caucus in the Senate on Tuesday, made the claim during plenary on Wednesday while decrying the way he was removed.

He said, “If today, just like that, without telling somebody and he goes out (is removed) … If it is Ndume today and he goes out, it may be, God forbid, Ekweremadu tomorrow,” he said.


Although Ndume accepted the decision of the APC lawmakers to remove him as Senate majority leader and thanked them for the opportunity giving to him, he insisted that he wasn’t given a fair hearing by the lawmakers.

He said this was more so because he had attempted to resign from the position for the sake of unity among the lawmakers thrice before his removal.

Ndume, along with Ekweremadu, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Senate President Bukola Saraki had emerged as leaders of the Senate contrary to the wish of the All Progressives Congress.

His claim hints at an attempt to remove all of them. This is more so as he was replaced by Sen. Ahmed Lawal, who had been the party’s preferred candidate for Senate President.

Tags:

Panic As Police Fresh Investigation Heavily INDICTS Saraki, Ekweremadu In Senate FORGERY SCANDAL

Panic As Police Fresh Investigation Heavily INDICTS Saraki, Ekweremadu In Senate FORGERY SCANDAL

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Panic As Police Fresh Investigation INDICTS Saraki, Ekweremadu In Senate FORGERY SCANDAL
Palpable fear returned to the camp of the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu over fresh indictment in the alleged Senate Forgery scandal, which they had earlier been exonerated.

The police, according to The Punch Newspaper, have submitted to the National Prosecution Coordination Committee, another report on the investigations into the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015.


The fresh report, it was gathered that the police indicted the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, Punch Newspaper reports

The Special Investigation Panel, headed by the retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, explained that a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, could not have committed the alleged offence without the connivance of the two principal officers.

The SIP was set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to investigate high-profile cases.

The Federal Government had, on October 6, 2016, withdrawn the charges of criminal conspiracy relating to the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, filed against the Senate President and his deputy at an Abuja High Court.

The government, it was reported, had found out that the investigation was inconclusive and the evidence was not strong enough to sustain a diligent prosecution of the accused persons.

Following this discovery, the Ministry of Justice filed an application to amend the charges.

In the new charges, only Maikasuwa and a former deputy clerk, Mr. Ben Efeturi, were listed as the accused persons.

Saraki and Ekweremadu were earlier charged alongside Maikasuwa and Efeturi for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Orders, which were used for the inauguration of the Eight Senate.

All of them pleaded not guilty to the charges before Justice Yusuf Halilu and were granted bail on June 10, 2016.

Following the amendment of the charges, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), directed the police to conduct fresh investigations into the case.

Saraki, Ekweremadu may face conspiracy charge again.

The SIP had addressed the loopholes the AGF identified in the former report, a top Police Operative confided in our source

He said, “The police have concluded investigations into the case and submitted the report to the NPCC. This was done about a month ago.”

Giving an insight into the report, a top source at the Force Headquarters said, “Conspiracy is a very wide offence and Maikasuwa couldn’t have done what he did without the connivance of Saraki and Ekweremadu.

“There is no doubt about it; they were the beneficiaries and they have to be joined in the case.”

When asked if the panel made any recommendation for the prosecution of the beneficiaries of the forgery, he stated, “There is no need to make any recommendation to prosecute them because the investigation did not exonerate them.”

On the non-interrogation of Saraki and others by the former investigators, the source stated, “It is not totally out of point. It is for Saraki, Ekweremadu and others to defend themselves in court. The fact that they were not questioned did not mean they didn’t commit the offence as alleged. The circumstances were that the investigators could not reach them just like the way the House of Representatives leadership was dodging police summons on the budget padding probe.”

He added that the evidence and corrections made on the report had been sent to the AGF by the police.

He stated, “There were certain documents and evidence they asked us to fine-tune, which we did. We got all the necessary documents, including the Hansard, where publications were made and notices were given. We looked at the Hansard. Was there any amendment during the 7th Senate? There were no amendments; nothing was adopted during the 7th Senate. We got the papers and there was nothing like that.

“So, where did Ekweremadu and Maikasuwa derive their authority from when no amendment was done on the floor of the Senate?”

Another highly-placed source, who was familiar with the police probe, informed one of our correspondents on Saturday that the SIP was able to gather the necessary evidence about how the alleged forgery at the Senate was carried out.

The source said it was now up to the AGF and the NPCC to decide whether to re-arraign Saraki, Ekweremadu and others or not.

It was gathered that the detectives were able to verify the extent of amendment to the Senate Standing Orders 2011, the individuals who authorised it, and the official who ordered the printing of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015.

The source added, “The SIP, through painstaking efforts, was able to identify who distributed the printed copies of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, to senators-elect and it also obtained the complete Hansard of June 9 and 24, 2015, which indicated what transpired on the floor of the Senate as well as other relevant evidence. These were issues the former probe did not resolve.

“It is now up to the government to decide whether Saraki and Ekweremadu should be re-arraigned or only Maikasuwa and Efeturi would carry the can.”

One of our correspondents gathered that the SIP had to bypass the Clerk, National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, to get the necessary evidence and documents relating to the case.

When contacted on Saturday, the spokesperson for the AGF and the NPCC, Mr. Salisu Isah, said he was not aware of any fresh development in the case.

“Just give me some time to find out and revert to you,” he said.

Besides the AGF, who is the Chairman of the NPCC, the committee consists of 19 members, including the Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun and Mr. Dipo Opeseyi.

When contacted on Saturday, Saraki decline to comment on the matter, while Ekweremadu said he was not aware of the new development in the forgery case.

The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said, “I have no comment on the matter,” when he was called on the telephone by one of our correspondents.

Ekweremadu, who spoke through the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, said, “We are not aware of that” when he was told that the police had submitted a fresh report to the AGF-led committee.

Another aide to Ekweremadu, who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered why the police would file another report from a fresh investigation when the security agency had sworn to an affidavit that it had concluded its investigations into the case and presented it before a court.
Panic As Police Fresh Investigation INDICTS Saraki, Ekweremadu In Senate FORGERY SCANDAL
Palpable fear returned to the camp of the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu over fresh indictment in the alleged Senate Forgery scandal, which they had earlier been exonerated.

The police, according to The Punch Newspaper, have submitted to the National Prosecution Coordination Committee, another report on the investigations into the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015.


The fresh report, it was gathered that the police indicted the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, Punch Newspaper reports

The Special Investigation Panel, headed by the retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ali Amodu, explained that a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, could not have committed the alleged offence without the connivance of the two principal officers.

The SIP was set up by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to investigate high-profile cases.

The Federal Government had, on October 6, 2016, withdrawn the charges of criminal conspiracy relating to the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, filed against the Senate President and his deputy at an Abuja High Court.

The government, it was reported, had found out that the investigation was inconclusive and the evidence was not strong enough to sustain a diligent prosecution of the accused persons.

Following this discovery, the Ministry of Justice filed an application to amend the charges.

In the new charges, only Maikasuwa and a former deputy clerk, Mr. Ben Efeturi, were listed as the accused persons.

Saraki and Ekweremadu were earlier charged alongside Maikasuwa and Efeturi for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Orders, which were used for the inauguration of the Eight Senate.

All of them pleaded not guilty to the charges before Justice Yusuf Halilu and were granted bail on June 10, 2016.

Following the amendment of the charges, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), directed the police to conduct fresh investigations into the case.

Saraki, Ekweremadu may face conspiracy charge again.

The SIP had addressed the loopholes the AGF identified in the former report, a top Police Operative confided in our source

He said, “The police have concluded investigations into the case and submitted the report to the NPCC. This was done about a month ago.”

Giving an insight into the report, a top source at the Force Headquarters said, “Conspiracy is a very wide offence and Maikasuwa couldn’t have done what he did without the connivance of Saraki and Ekweremadu.

“There is no doubt about it; they were the beneficiaries and they have to be joined in the case.”

When asked if the panel made any recommendation for the prosecution of the beneficiaries of the forgery, he stated, “There is no need to make any recommendation to prosecute them because the investigation did not exonerate them.”

On the non-interrogation of Saraki and others by the former investigators, the source stated, “It is not totally out of point. It is for Saraki, Ekweremadu and others to defend themselves in court. The fact that they were not questioned did not mean they didn’t commit the offence as alleged. The circumstances were that the investigators could not reach them just like the way the House of Representatives leadership was dodging police summons on the budget padding probe.”

He added that the evidence and corrections made on the report had been sent to the AGF by the police.

He stated, “There were certain documents and evidence they asked us to fine-tune, which we did. We got all the necessary documents, including the Hansard, where publications were made and notices were given. We looked at the Hansard. Was there any amendment during the 7th Senate? There were no amendments; nothing was adopted during the 7th Senate. We got the papers and there was nothing like that.

“So, where did Ekweremadu and Maikasuwa derive their authority from when no amendment was done on the floor of the Senate?”

Another highly-placed source, who was familiar with the police probe, informed one of our correspondents on Saturday that the SIP was able to gather the necessary evidence about how the alleged forgery at the Senate was carried out.

The source said it was now up to the AGF and the NPCC to decide whether to re-arraign Saraki, Ekweremadu and others or not.

It was gathered that the detectives were able to verify the extent of amendment to the Senate Standing Orders 2011, the individuals who authorised it, and the official who ordered the printing of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015.

The source added, “The SIP, through painstaking efforts, was able to identify who distributed the printed copies of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, to senators-elect and it also obtained the complete Hansard of June 9 and 24, 2015, which indicated what transpired on the floor of the Senate as well as other relevant evidence. These were issues the former probe did not resolve.

“It is now up to the government to decide whether Saraki and Ekweremadu should be re-arraigned or only Maikasuwa and Efeturi would carry the can.”

One of our correspondents gathered that the SIP had to bypass the Clerk, National Assembly, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, to get the necessary evidence and documents relating to the case.

When contacted on Saturday, the spokesperson for the AGF and the NPCC, Mr. Salisu Isah, said he was not aware of any fresh development in the case.

“Just give me some time to find out and revert to you,” he said.

Besides the AGF, who is the Chairman of the NPCC, the committee consists of 19 members, including the Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Taiwo Abidogun and Mr. Dipo Opeseyi.

When contacted on Saturday, Saraki decline to comment on the matter, while Ekweremadu said he was not aware of the new development in the forgery case.

The Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, said, “I have no comment on the matter,” when he was called on the telephone by one of our correspondents.

Ekweremadu, who spoke through the Special Adviser to the Deputy President of the Senate on Media, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, said, “We are not aware of that” when he was told that the police had submitted a fresh report to the AGF-led committee.

Another aide to Ekweremadu, who spoke on condition of anonymity, wondered why the police would file another report from a fresh investigation when the security agency had sworn to an affidavit that it had concluded its investigations into the case and presented it before a court.
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BREAKING: Buhari In Closed-door Meeting With Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others

BREAKING: Buhari In Closed-door Meeting With Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others

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Buhari and Ekweremadu
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday afternoon held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the upper legislative chamber. 

President Buhari exchanging compliments with Senate President Bukola Saraki  Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu led other Senators to the meeting which held at the President’s office, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 


After the meeting with the lawmakers, they exited while Mr. Buhari held a personal meeting with Saraki. This meeting came barely a week after the Senate rejected President Buhari’s request to borrow $29.9 billion from external sources.

Details Later


Buhari and Ekweremadu
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday afternoon held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the upper legislative chamber. 

President Buhari exchanging compliments with Senate President Bukola Saraki  Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu led other Senators to the meeting which held at the President’s office, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 


After the meeting with the lawmakers, they exited while Mr. Buhari held a personal meeting with Saraki. This meeting came barely a week after the Senate rejected President Buhari’s request to borrow $29.9 billion from external sources.

Details Later


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...DEVASTATED As FG Prepares Fresh FORGERY Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu

...DEVASTATED As FG Prepares Fresh FORGERY Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu

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...DEVASTATED As FG Prepares Fresh FORGERY Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu
Indications emerged, yesterday, that the Federal government may be planning to slam fresh forgery charges against Senate president, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Although some key officials in the Ministry of Justice refused to confirm the development, another source said there is a possibility of filing another charge against them. The source, who declined to be named, based on what he said “the sensitive nature of the case” said “things would be clearer in the next few days.


“Remember, government only withdrew the charge on the grounds that there was a similar case pending before another court, so, anything is possible.”.

Last week, government gave reasons why it decided to withdraw the two-count forgery charge it initiated against Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu before an Abuja High Court at Jabi.  Government said it took the decision because the subject matter is pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

Prosecution counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar had also terminated further proceeding on the charge against former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi.

Umar told the court that though his witnesses, including the Investigative Police Officer in charge of the case, were prepared and ready to testify, he said FG took the action as a mark of its respect for the rule of law.

After listening to all the parties, Justice Yusuf Halilu struck out the two charges.

The court had, on June 27, granted the defendants bail after they pleaded not guilty to the forgery charge against them.

Meanwhile, the civil suit at the Federal High Court which was filed by Senator Barth Nnaji, from Enugu State, is challenging the powers of the federal government to meddle in an internal affair of the Red Chamber.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)has described the withdrawal of the forgery case against Saraki and Ekweremadu and two others as meaningless.

The opposition party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said it was amused by the sudden realisation by government that the “Senate Rules forgery case was a shadow chase from the beginning.”

The PDP stated that the withdrawal of the forgery case validated its earlier position that the All Progressives Congress (APC)  administration was on a vendetta mission.

“It was complete nothingness!

“More so, the claim, through the lead counsel, Umar, that the withdrawal was on grounds of respect for the rule of law and hierarchy of the judiciary demonstrates more of comedy on the side of this federal government that has penchant for legal disobedience and abuse of court processes.

“Notwithstanding, this act of withdrawal justifies our earlier position that the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration is on a vendetta mission and not to govern.”

The party added that it was worried by the APC frequent interference in the affairs of other arms of government and noted that it must be curtailed immediately if Nigeria must operate like other democratic systems across the world.

“The principle of Separation of Powers, as propagated in every democratic setting, is to allow for checks and balances amongst the different arms of government in order to prevent excessive or cohesive use of power by any of the organs of government.

“In this context, it was clear to us and other well-meaning Nigerians, from the outset, that the case of forgery, instituted against presiding officers of the Senate, was just another bad politics of the APC.”

because the federal government, under the Penal Code Law, has no business with the standing rules of the National Assembly, as alleged.

“We, therefore, further call on the executive arm of government to maintain the sanctity of this principle and desist from unnecessary distractions with acts of impunity against persons, groups and organisations.

“We are in a democracy and not anarchy,” the PDP added.

Culled From The Sun Newspaper  


...DEVASTATED As FG Prepares Fresh FORGERY Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu
Indications emerged, yesterday, that the Federal government may be planning to slam fresh forgery charges against Senate president, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Although some key officials in the Ministry of Justice refused to confirm the development, another source said there is a possibility of filing another charge against them. The source, who declined to be named, based on what he said “the sensitive nature of the case” said “things would be clearer in the next few days.


“Remember, government only withdrew the charge on the grounds that there was a similar case pending before another court, so, anything is possible.”.

Last week, government gave reasons why it decided to withdraw the two-count forgery charge it initiated against Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu before an Abuja High Court at Jabi.  Government said it took the decision because the subject matter is pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

Prosecution counsel, Mr. Aliyu Umar had also terminated further proceeding on the charge against former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi.

Umar told the court that though his witnesses, including the Investigative Police Officer in charge of the case, were prepared and ready to testify, he said FG took the action as a mark of its respect for the rule of law.

After listening to all the parties, Justice Yusuf Halilu struck out the two charges.

The court had, on June 27, granted the defendants bail after they pleaded not guilty to the forgery charge against them.

Meanwhile, the civil suit at the Federal High Court which was filed by Senator Barth Nnaji, from Enugu State, is challenging the powers of the federal government to meddle in an internal affair of the Red Chamber.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)has described the withdrawal of the forgery case against Saraki and Ekweremadu and two others as meaningless.

The opposition party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye said it was amused by the sudden realisation by government that the “Senate Rules forgery case was a shadow chase from the beginning.”

The PDP stated that the withdrawal of the forgery case validated its earlier position that the All Progressives Congress (APC)  administration was on a vendetta mission.

“It was complete nothingness!

“More so, the claim, through the lead counsel, Umar, that the withdrawal was on grounds of respect for the rule of law and hierarchy of the judiciary demonstrates more of comedy on the side of this federal government that has penchant for legal disobedience and abuse of court processes.

“Notwithstanding, this act of withdrawal justifies our earlier position that the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration is on a vendetta mission and not to govern.”

The party added that it was worried by the APC frequent interference in the affairs of other arms of government and noted that it must be curtailed immediately if Nigeria must operate like other democratic systems across the world.

“The principle of Separation of Powers, as propagated in every democratic setting, is to allow for checks and balances amongst the different arms of government in order to prevent excessive or cohesive use of power by any of the organs of government.

“In this context, it was clear to us and other well-meaning Nigerians, from the outset, that the case of forgery, instituted against presiding officers of the Senate, was just another bad politics of the APC.”

because the federal government, under the Penal Code Law, has no business with the standing rules of the National Assembly, as alleged.

“We, therefore, further call on the executive arm of government to maintain the sanctity of this principle and desist from unnecessary distractions with acts of impunity against persons, groups and organisations.

“We are in a democracy and not anarchy,” the PDP added.

Culled From The Sun Newspaper  


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Withdrawal Of Forgery Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu: At Last Tinubu Breaks Silence, Reacts

Withdrawal Of Forgery Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu: At Last Tinubu Breaks Silence, Reacts

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tinubu and saraki
A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has described the federal government’s withdrawal of forgery charges against presiding officers of the Senate as a welcome development.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Mr. Tinubu said the government’s decision would help the APC focus on bringing progressive change it promised Nigerians.

“New legislation will be required to help pull the nation out of the economic mire,” Mr. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said in the statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Rahman.


“With these forgery charges found not to apply, it is good that they be dismissed so that the national assembly may focus on this important work ahead.”

The Nigerian government of Nigeria on Thursday filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16.

They all pleaded not guilty on July 27, 2016.

The government, however, initially amended the charge to prosecute only Messrs Maikasuwa and Efeturi, but later withdrew the entire case.

Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu had promptly issued a statement on Friday saying the decision was a vindication of their positions that they were innocent of the charges.

But Mr. Tinubu said this was no time for celebration.

“While those involved may understandably feel a sense of relief or vindication, this is no time for them to celebrate or to believe all is well with the nation simply because all has turned out well for them on this matter,” said Mr. Tinubu.

“All is not well. Throughout the nation, the people stagger and groan under the weight of economic hardship. This government and our party must hear and respond to their plea. We must lead the way.”

The former governor also said that a mind unburdened by the specter of possible legal liability is free to devote itself to the pressing matters of state.

“Consequently, this action presents a unique window of opportunity for the national assembly to reset its bearings and to focus on the real issues at hand,” he said.

“History will not look kindly on those involved if they were to squander this fine chance, as never before, Nigerians look to the various arms of government to perform their roles so that the country can walk the path of change and renewal.

“May those who are the beneficiaries of this legal outcome now rededicate yourselves to fulfilling the progressive tenets of the APC and to honoring the promises we made to the people with regard to their governance and well being.

“Now that you have overcome this legal battle, you must dedicate yourselves to helping Nigeria win the greater war against poverty, despair and failure.”


tinubu and saraki
A national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has described the federal government’s withdrawal of forgery charges against presiding officers of the Senate as a welcome development.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Mr. Tinubu said the government’s decision would help the APC focus on bringing progressive change it promised Nigerians.

“New legislation will be required to help pull the nation out of the economic mire,” Mr. Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said in the statement issued by his media aide, Tunde Rahman.


“With these forgery charges found not to apply, it is good that they be dismissed so that the national assembly may focus on this important work ahead.”

The Nigerian government of Nigeria on Thursday filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16.

They all pleaded not guilty on July 27, 2016.

The government, however, initially amended the charge to prosecute only Messrs Maikasuwa and Efeturi, but later withdrew the entire case.

Messrs Saraki and Ekweremadu had promptly issued a statement on Friday saying the decision was a vindication of their positions that they were innocent of the charges.

But Mr. Tinubu said this was no time for celebration.

“While those involved may understandably feel a sense of relief or vindication, this is no time for them to celebrate or to believe all is well with the nation simply because all has turned out well for them on this matter,” said Mr. Tinubu.

“All is not well. Throughout the nation, the people stagger and groan under the weight of economic hardship. This government and our party must hear and respond to their plea. We must lead the way.”

The former governor also said that a mind unburdened by the specter of possible legal liability is free to devote itself to the pressing matters of state.

“Consequently, this action presents a unique window of opportunity for the national assembly to reset its bearings and to focus on the real issues at hand,” he said.

“History will not look kindly on those involved if they were to squander this fine chance, as never before, Nigerians look to the various arms of government to perform their roles so that the country can walk the path of change and renewal.

“May those who are the beneficiaries of this legal outcome now rededicate yourselves to fulfilling the progressive tenets of the APC and to honoring the promises we made to the people with regard to their governance and well being.

“Now that you have overcome this legal battle, you must dedicate yourselves to helping Nigeria win the greater war against poverty, despair and failure.”


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Senate Forgery: Why We Withdraw Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu - FG

Senate Forgery: Why We Withdraw Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu - FG

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saraki and ike ekweremadu
The Federal Government, on Friday, gave reasons why it decided to drop the two-count forgery charge it initiated against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, before an Abuja High Court at Jabi. 

The FG said it took the decision considering that the subject matter is already pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. 

Aside Saraki and Ekweremadu, government prosecutor, Mr. Aliyu Umar, SAN, also applied to terminate further proceeding on the charge against former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi. 


Umar told the court that though his witnesses, including the Investigative Police Officer in charge of the case, were prepared and ready to testify, he said FG took the action as a mark of its respect for the rule of law. 

He said: “My lord, having been well guided at the last proceeding and because of certain applications I am about to make, I did not ask my witnesses to come, though the IPO is here. 

“On October 5, I filed response to motions of 1st and 2nd defendants. I was also served a counter-affidavit dated October 8. “My lord I have also been served with the 3rd defendant’s notice dated September 30 and that of the 4th defendant dated October 4, 

“However, in view of the fact that this government respects the rule of law and hierarchy of the judiciary, it is obvious that these applications cannot go on. 

“Your learned brother in the Federal High Court is dealing with issues that are supposed to be dealt with by your lordship. “It is trite law that two courts of the same coordinate jurisdiction cannot be seized of the same matter at the same time. 

“Before this court, we have an amended charge dated October 5 and the original charge dated June 10 which the defendants pleaded to on June 27. I apply to withdraw both the initial and amended charge. “I ask my lord to strike them out and discharge all the defendants”, Umar submitted. 

None of the defendants opposed the application, though their lawyers took turns to commend FG for withdrawing the charge. 

According to Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, “going by facts and circumstances of the matter, it took the government a lot of courage to take this bold step”. After listening to all the parties, Justice Yusuf Halilu struck out the two charges. 

“I have had the privilege of having the leadership of the National Assembly before me. For whatever reason, the prosecution has a duty to do its work and it has decided to withdraw the charge. 

“On the other hand, my duty is to strike the two charges out, accordingly the charges, having been withdrawn, is hereby struck out. 

“The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants are accordingly discharged”, the Judge held. 

The defendants were hitherto on trial over allegation that they masterminded the usage of a bogus Senate Standing Rules for the July 9, 2015, election, through which both Saraki and Ekweremadu took over the leadership of the Senate. 

The court had on June 27, granted the defendants bail after they pleaded not guilty to the forgery charge against them. Whereas the court gave Saraki bail on self-recognition, it ordered the other defendants to produce two reasonable sureties each. 

The court stressed that the sureties must be owners of landed properties in the highbrow areas of Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse II or Garki in Abuja. 

Meanwhile, the civil suit at the Federal High Court which was filed by Senator Bath Nnaji from Enugu State, is challenging the powers of the FG to meddle in an internal affair of the Senate.

saraki and ike ekweremadu
The Federal Government, on Friday, gave reasons why it decided to drop the two-count forgery charge it initiated against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, before an Abuja High Court at Jabi. 

The FG said it took the decision considering that the subject matter is already pending before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. 

Aside Saraki and Ekweremadu, government prosecutor, Mr. Aliyu Umar, SAN, also applied to terminate further proceeding on the charge against former Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Benedict Efeturi. 


Umar told the court that though his witnesses, including the Investigative Police Officer in charge of the case, were prepared and ready to testify, he said FG took the action as a mark of its respect for the rule of law. 

He said: “My lord, having been well guided at the last proceeding and because of certain applications I am about to make, I did not ask my witnesses to come, though the IPO is here. 

“On October 5, I filed response to motions of 1st and 2nd defendants. I was also served a counter-affidavit dated October 8. “My lord I have also been served with the 3rd defendant’s notice dated September 30 and that of the 4th defendant dated October 4, 

“However, in view of the fact that this government respects the rule of law and hierarchy of the judiciary, it is obvious that these applications cannot go on. 

“Your learned brother in the Federal High Court is dealing with issues that are supposed to be dealt with by your lordship. “It is trite law that two courts of the same coordinate jurisdiction cannot be seized of the same matter at the same time. 

“Before this court, we have an amended charge dated October 5 and the original charge dated June 10 which the defendants pleaded to on June 27. I apply to withdraw both the initial and amended charge. “I ask my lord to strike them out and discharge all the defendants”, Umar submitted. 

None of the defendants opposed the application, though their lawyers took turns to commend FG for withdrawing the charge. 

According to Saraki’s lawyer, Mr. J.B. Daudu, SAN, “going by facts and circumstances of the matter, it took the government a lot of courage to take this bold step”. After listening to all the parties, Justice Yusuf Halilu struck out the two charges. 

“I have had the privilege of having the leadership of the National Assembly before me. For whatever reason, the prosecution has a duty to do its work and it has decided to withdraw the charge. 

“On the other hand, my duty is to strike the two charges out, accordingly the charges, having been withdrawn, is hereby struck out. 

“The 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants are accordingly discharged”, the Judge held. 

The defendants were hitherto on trial over allegation that they masterminded the usage of a bogus Senate Standing Rules for the July 9, 2015, election, through which both Saraki and Ekweremadu took over the leadership of the Senate. 

The court had on June 27, granted the defendants bail after they pleaded not guilty to the forgery charge against them. Whereas the court gave Saraki bail on self-recognition, it ordered the other defendants to produce two reasonable sureties each. 

The court stressed that the sureties must be owners of landed properties in the highbrow areas of Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse II or Garki in Abuja. 

Meanwhile, the civil suit at the Federal High Court which was filed by Senator Bath Nnaji from Enugu State, is challenging the powers of the FG to meddle in an internal affair of the Senate.

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Senate Rule Forgery: FG Drops Criminal Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu

Senate Rule Forgery: FG Drops Criminal Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu

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saraki ike ekweremadu
The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Four months ago, government, through the Ministry of Justice, arraigned Saraki, Ekweremadu, alongside former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasu, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

The four were accused of conspiracy and forgery of Senate Standing Rules which brought Saraki and Ekweremadu to office in 2015.

The suit was filed in June, almost a year after Secretary of Senate Unity Forum, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi petitioned the Inspector General of Police where he demanded criminal investigation into allegation of forgery of Senate Rules used for the elections of presiding officers on June 9, 2015.


They were brought before Justice Yusuf Halilu.

In a new twist, an affidavit in support of the motion was filed before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, yesterday, by a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme.

Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as Maikasuwa, and  Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16.

They all pleaded not guilty on July 27, 2016.

In the motion, Loveme said counsel to the federal government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, a senior advocate of Nigeria, on September 30, in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution told him that he had studied the case diary and “ had decided to amend the charge in the manner stated on the face of the motion paper.” Loveme added that he has, consequently, filed an amended charge.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing same to be correct to the best of my knowledge and information and in accordance with the Oaths Act Cap 01 laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” he said.

Based on the amended charge, only Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi would face prosecution.

The two officials are accused of fraudulently amending the 2015 Senate Standing Orders without the authority of the 7th Senate “ with intention that the Senators elect of the 8th Senate would believe that the said Senate Standing Orders 2015 ( as amended) was made by the authority of the 7th Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria.”

They are also accused of forging a document punishable under section 366 of the Penal Code Act ( Northern States) Federal Provisions Act, 1960, Cap 345, Laws of the Federation 1990 ( as amended). The Nigerian Government also accused them of giving false information with the intention to mislead the public. The court had, on September 28 adjourned the matter to Friday, October 7 for commencement of hearing.

Umar, in his written address in support of the motion to amend the charge on Thursday, stated that the sole issue for determination is “ whether the Court can permit the amendment of the charge in terms of the amended charge”.

He said the Court has the powers to permit the amendment based on the provisions of Section 216 (1) of the Administration o Criminal Justice Act.

The Section stated that “ A Court may permit an alteration or an amendment to a charge or framing of a new charge at any time before judgment is pronounced.”

He also quoted Section 216 (3) which states that “ Where a Defendant is arraigned for trial on an imperfect or erroneous charge ,the Court may permit or direct the framing of a new charge, or any amendment to, or the alteration of the original charge.”

saraki ike ekweremadu
The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

Four months ago, government, through the Ministry of Justice, arraigned Saraki, Ekweremadu, alongside former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasu, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.

The four were accused of conspiracy and forgery of Senate Standing Rules which brought Saraki and Ekweremadu to office in 2015.

The suit was filed in June, almost a year after Secretary of Senate Unity Forum, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi petitioned the Inspector General of Police where he demanded criminal investigation into allegation of forgery of Senate Rules used for the elections of presiding officers on June 9, 2015.


They were brought before Justice Yusuf Halilu.

In a new twist, an affidavit in support of the motion was filed before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, yesterday, by a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme.

Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as Maikasuwa, and  Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16.

They all pleaded not guilty on July 27, 2016.

In the motion, Loveme said counsel to the federal government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, a senior advocate of Nigeria, on September 30, in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution told him that he had studied the case diary and “ had decided to amend the charge in the manner stated on the face of the motion paper.” Loveme added that he has, consequently, filed an amended charge.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing same to be correct to the best of my knowledge and information and in accordance with the Oaths Act Cap 01 laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” he said.

Based on the amended charge, only Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi would face prosecution.

The two officials are accused of fraudulently amending the 2015 Senate Standing Orders without the authority of the 7th Senate “ with intention that the Senators elect of the 8th Senate would believe that the said Senate Standing Orders 2015 ( as amended) was made by the authority of the 7th Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria.”

They are also accused of forging a document punishable under section 366 of the Penal Code Act ( Northern States) Federal Provisions Act, 1960, Cap 345, Laws of the Federation 1990 ( as amended). The Nigerian Government also accused them of giving false information with the intention to mislead the public. The court had, on September 28 adjourned the matter to Friday, October 7 for commencement of hearing.

Umar, in his written address in support of the motion to amend the charge on Thursday, stated that the sole issue for determination is “ whether the Court can permit the amendment of the charge in terms of the amended charge”.

He said the Court has the powers to permit the amendment based on the provisions of Section 216 (1) of the Administration o Criminal Justice Act.

The Section stated that “ A Court may permit an alteration or an amendment to a charge or framing of a new charge at any time before judgment is pronounced.”

He also quoted Section 216 (3) which states that “ Where a Defendant is arraigned for trial on an imperfect or erroneous charge ,the Court may permit or direct the framing of a new charge, or any amendment to, or the alteration of the original charge.”

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