Over 14 witnesses are reportedly ready to testify against Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and two others ahead of the Federal Government’s forgery suit scheduled for today, Monday, July 11, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
Others charged alongside the Senate leaders are the outgoing clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and his deputy, Mr. Ben Efeturi.
The list of witnesses lined up to testify against the accused persons, according to Vanguard report, include – Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Ita Enang; Senators Sulaiman Hunkuyi; Senator Kabiru Marafa (APC, Zamfara Central); Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North); Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice (APC, Ondo North) and Senator Abu Ibrahim (APC, Katsina South).
Others are Senator Solomon Ewuga, Senator Ojudu Babafemi, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Dan’Azumi J. Doma and a police investigator, David Igbodo.
According to a document obtained by the newspaper, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC, Kaduna North) and a serving Senator would reveal how the Senate Standing Order 2015 was forged.
As contained in the document: “Senator Ita Enang was a senator that represented Akwa Ibom North Senatorial District, in the 7th National Assembly. He was also the Chairman of the rules and Business Committee of the 7th Senate. He will also inform the court the procedure for amendment of Senate standing Order
“Senator Solomon Ewuga was a member of the 7th National assembly. He will inform the court that the Senate Standing Order, 2011, was never amended, he may also be required to tender some exhibits.
Senator Ahmed Lawan is a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and was also a member of the 7th National Assembly He will inform the court that the senate standing Order 2011 was never amended.
Senator Abdullahi A. Gumel is a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He will inform the court that he was given the Senate Standing Order 2011 during the induction course of the 8th National Assembly.”
In a statement by the Principal State Counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice, D. E. Kaswe, the accused were alleged to have forged the the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended), causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Orders 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate when they knew that the said order was not made in compliance with the procedure for amendment of the Senate orders.
The four of them thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code laws, the statement said.
