Forgery Trial: Meet Bail Conditions, Or Be Remanded In Kuje Prison, Judge Tells Saraki, Ekweremadu
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to senate president Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, who are accused of altering sections of the Senate Standing Rules with which the presiding officers of the Senate were elected on June 9, 2015.
This came after the duo pleaded not guilty to charges leveled against them by the federal government.
Two officials of the Senate were also being tried on the same charges – the outgoing clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the deputy clerk to the National Assembly, Ben Efeturi also pleaded not guilty.
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The court, presided over by Justice Halilu Yusuf ordered that the accused produce two reasonable sureties who must be Nigerians and must own properties in Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse 2 and Garki in Abuja.
Justice Halilu said the accused will be remanded in Kuje prison if they fail to meet the bail condition.
The Court, thereafter adjourned commencement of trial till to July 11.
Count one of the charge leveled against the accused reads: “That you Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves, to forge the Senate Standing Order, 2011 (as amended) and you thereby committed the offence of Conspiracy, punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code Law.”
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Count two reads: “That you Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Benedict Efeturi, Dr. Olubukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu on or about the 9th of June, 2015, at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arm Zone, Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with fraudulent intent forged the Senate Standing Order 2011 (as amended) causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Order, 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when you knew that the said Order was not made in compliance the procedure for amendment of the Senate Order, you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law.”
