Anxiety as Saraki, Ekweremadu face trial today

Anxiety has gripped members of the National As­sembly, as Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, today ap­pear before the High Court, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja for allegedly forging Senate Rules in 2015.

The arraignment was botched last week follow­ing the inability of the court bailiff to effect summons on them.

The duo alongside Sal­isu Abubakar Maikasuwa and Benedict Efeturi were dragged to court in charge number CR/219/16 by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for allegedly tamper­ing with the standing rules to conduct election that brought them into office.

Ever since the case was filed againt Saraki and Ekwerema­du, there have been anxiety about their fate. Some law­makers fear that if they are not granted bail, there will be vacuum in leadership when the Senate reconvenes.

Trouble started when ag­grieved senators, belonging to the Unity Forum, headed by Barnabas Gemade petitioned the police alleging forgery following the election of prin­cipal officers for the Senate.

Following a request for substituted service by the prosecution counsel, David Kaswe, the trial judge had ordered that the accused persons be served with the charges by pasting the notice on the board of the National Assembly in line with the provisions of Sections 123 and 124 of the Administra­tion of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Meanwhile, fears are mounting that when Saraki and Ekweremadu appear in court, they might be remand­ed in custody pending when they would perfect their bail conditions.