Federal Government withdraws forgery charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu

The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, PremiumTimes reports.

An affidavit in support of the motion was filed before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, today, by a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme.

Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16. They all pleaded not guilty on July 27, 2016.

In the motion filed today, Loveme said counsel to the FG on the matter, Aliyu Umar, on September 30 in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution told him that he had studied the case diary and “ had decided to amend the charge in the manner stated on the face of the motion paper”.

Loveme added that he has, consequently, filed an amended charge. He said Based on the amended charge, only Maikasuwa and Efeturi would face prosecution.