Alleged Forgery: Saraki, Ekweremadu, Others Granted Bail
By Tobi Soniyi and Alex Enumah
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekwerenmadu, immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa and the acting Clerk, Mr. Benedict Efeturi, were on Monday granted bail by Justice Yusuf Halilu of an Abuja High Court.
They were arraigned on a two-count charge of forgery and conspiracy to commit forgery. All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and we’re consequently admitted to bail while trial was adjourned to 11th of July.
The four 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 that brought Saraki and Ekwerenmadu to office as principal officers of the Senate.
Shortly after the charge was read to them, they pleaded not guilty to the charges prompting their lawyers Mr. Ikechukwu Ezechukwu (SAN) for Maikasuwa, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) for Efeturi, Paul Erokoro (SAN) for Saraki and Joseph Daudu (SAN) for Ekwerenmadu, to move applications for bail for the defenadants.
Justice Halilu, after taking arguments from the counsel, 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 held that Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended presumed the defendants innocent of the charges against them and that it was normal and natural for them to be allowed on bail so as to prepare for their defence.
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.
Justice Halilu further said that the essence of bail was for the defendants, who were presumed innocent by law, was to ensure their attendance in court throughout the trial and that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 also lent support for bail for any Nigerian accused of bailable offences as in the instant case.
The judge however said that in the event that in the event of the defendants unable to comply with the bail conditions, they should be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the time they would meet up with the bail.
As at press time, Maikasuwa had complied with the bail conditions and had left the court premises.
The Senate President and his deputy obviously have no difficulties fulfilling the bail conditions but have chosen to wait for the other accused person to perfect his bail.
Further details later
