Saraki, Ekweremadu trial adjourns as Court begins vacation
The tri
al of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, the immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubaka, Maikasuwa and the Acting Clerk, Mr Benedict Efeturi before an Abuja High Court on a two-count charge of forgery has been adjourned till September 28, 2016.
al of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, the immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubaka, Maikasuwa and the Acting Clerk, Mr Benedict Efeturi before an Abuja High Court on a two-count charge of forgery has been adjourned till September 28, 2016.The adjournment was due to the commencement of vacation by High Court judges across the country.
Saraki and the defendants were put on trial by the Federal Government on the allegation of forging the Senate Standing Rules used on June 9 last year to conduct the election of the principal officers of the Upper House.
Shortly after the charge was read to them, they pleaded not guilty which prompted their lawyers to move the application for their bail.
The trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, after taking arguments from the lawyers in the matter, had admitted all of them to bail with two sureties each who must be Nigerians, male or female and who must have landed properties either in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse or Apo Legislative Quarters to be able to qualify to stand as sureties in the matter.
The judge in his ruling had held that Section 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended presumed the defendants innocent of the charges against them and that it is normal and natural for them to be allowed on bail so as to prepare for their defense.
The judge took judicial notice of the positions of the defendants, adding that there was nothing by way of evidence to suggest that they would jump bail if allowed to go home.