Alleged forgery: Saraki, Ekweremadu's trial adjourned till October 7th

The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu for alleged forgery of the senate standing rules that brought them into office during the senate leadership election in June last year, has been adjourned to October 7th.

The presiding judge, Justice Yusf Haliru, adjourned the case following a application by the counsel to the Federal government and prosecuting counsel, Aliyu Umar, who asked for more time to reply a motion by the defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

Saraki and Ekweremadu had filed a fresh motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case of alleged forgery. They asked the court to summarily dismiss the case against them. Their application hwever did not get to the prosecuting counsel until Monday September 26th.

The prosecuting counsel told the court that since the motion was in relation to the fundamental right of defendants to fair hearing, he needs to properly prepare his response to the motion.

“Just now I became aware of a motion by the first defendant and served on us on September 26. The motion is fundamental because it is asking your lordship to decline jurisdiction and quash the charges. It is a short notice‎. I have not filed anything‎. It is fundamental to fair hearing. Under the circumstances, I will ask for an adjournment to enable me to respond to the motion.” he said

Justice Haliru thereafter adjourned the case till Friday October 7th. Saraki and Ekweremadu are standing trial alongside former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi.