Forgery charges: SGF told Saraki, Ekweremadu, what to do

Babachir David Lawal, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) spoke about Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu – Lawal explained that the forgery charges leveled against both Saraki and Ekweremadu has nothing to do with members of National Assembly involving themselves in the court processes The SGF explained this in a statement released on Wednesday, June 29, stating that a case of forgery is always brought upon individuals. 

Lawal stressed the fact that a case like certificate forgery was the reason for the resignation of a Speaker of the House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari.

The statement which explained some of the legal intricacies involved in the forgery charge reads: “Since the arraignment of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki and, his Deputy Senator Ike Ekweremadu before the Federal High Court on Monday, June 27, 2016, the two leaders of the Senate, have issued two separate press statements conveying messages that are far from being complementary to the person and government of President Muhammadu Buhari. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu “Senator Saraki in his statement clearly insinuated that Mr President is not in control of his administration and that a cabal now runs the federal administration. 

 On the part of Senator Ekweremadu, he insists that President Buhari is exhibiting dictatorial tendencies that can derail our democracy.”

The SGF who cleared on any time of vendetta by President Muhammadu Buhari on Saraki and his deputy said, “from their statements, the two leaders of the Senate also gave this erroneous impression that by their arraignment, it is the entire Senate and indeed, the Legislative Arm of Government that is on trial. They want the public to believe that their prosecution is utter disregard by the Executive Arm of government for the constitutional provisions of separation of powers and that preferring the forgery case against them is a vendetta exercise.” Share on Facebook Share on Twitter David Lawal Lawal further explained in the statement: “It is not the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that is involved and definitely not the House of Representatives.  To bring the National Assembly as a body into this court case is totally unwarranted.  It can only be for other purposes and reasons outside the investigation and legal proceedings. “A case of forgery is usually preferred against individuals.  This is not different. As was the case with a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was accused of certificate forgery, what he did was to resign, honorably. The matter did not even go to court. “In that particular case, it was never orchestrated as a matter for the National Assembly.  The individual involved did not drag the entire Legislature into the matter. “While Senator Saraki believes Mr. President has abdicated his powers and that a cabal is in charge of Federal Administration, Senator Ekweremadu says President Buhari has become a dictator. “Our democracy is still evolving and being deepened. The provisions of the separation of powers are entrenched in our Constitution and should guide everyone in our conduct. The rule of law is indeed supreme. “This particular case is before the judiciary and is not being decided by the Executive Arm of Government.  All that has transpired is still within the confines of our laws. These are the rights to accuse, to be investigated and be arraigned before the court. “To impute other considerations to the process is unfortunate.  We should allow the process to take its course, in consonance with the dictates of the law and total obeisance to the cardinal democratic principle of the separation of powers,” he stated. On Tuesday, June 28, a woman by the name Ezenwude Nwakego protested Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu’s arraignment for forgery charges.
Read more: https://www.naij.com/876729-forgery-charges-read-sgf-told-saraki-ekweremadu-national-assembly.html