Federal Government on Friday withdrew all allegations of
forgery against a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu
Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.
Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi were charged alongside Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, for allegedly falsifying the Senate standing rule to help the Senate President and his deputy emerge leaders of the National Assembly in June 2015.
They were arraigned on June 10 this year and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Thursday, the Federal Government dropped charges against Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu and filed an amended charge before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi.
A litigation officer with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme, told PREMIUM TIMES that government had made fresh applications to amend the charges, so that only Messrs Maikasuwa and Efeturi would continue to face trial.
On Friday, however, counsel to the Federal Government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, said his client was withdrawing the entire charge at the Abuja High Court to allow a similar matter at the Federal High Court proceed.
More details later…
Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi were charged alongside Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, for allegedly falsifying the Senate standing rule to help the Senate President and his deputy emerge leaders of the National Assembly in June 2015.
They were arraigned on June 10 this year and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On Thursday, the Federal Government dropped charges against Messrs. Saraki and Ekweremadu and filed an amended charge before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi.
A litigation officer with the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme, told PREMIUM TIMES that government had made fresh applications to amend the charges, so that only Messrs Maikasuwa and Efeturi would continue to face trial.
On Friday, however, counsel to the Federal Government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, said his client was withdrawing the entire charge at the Abuja High Court to allow a similar matter at the Federal High Court proceed.
More details later…