The Federal Government reportedly closed the case of forgery of the Senate Standing Orders, 2015, allegedly masterminded by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, despite the emergence of new facts about the case, Punch reports.
It was gathered that the police submitted a fresh report of investigation to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice through the National Prosecution Coordination Committee.
The police reportedly indicted Saraki and Ekweremadu in the reports.
On October 7, 2016, the Federal Government withdrew the charges of criminal conspiracy before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Jabi, Abuja.
The AGF reportedly received fresh police investigation some days after the charges were withdrawn.
But according to the newspaper, Secretary of the NPCC and a Special Adviser to the AGF, Sylvester Imhanobe, confirmed that the AGF office received the report but said it will not change the earlier decision to withdraw the charges.
A source at the Federal Ministry of Justice was quoted as saying the government partly resolved to stop pursuing the case in order to “bolster the rapport” with the Senate, which the President “desperately needs to push through a number of its policies.”
Saraki and Ekweremadu, alongside a former Clerk to the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former deputy clerk, Mr. Ben Efeturi, were earlier charged for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Orders, which were used for the inauguration of the Eight Senate.
All of them pleaded not guilty to the charges and were granted bail .
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