Forgery: Reps oppose prosecution of Saraki, Ekweremadu

The House of Representatives on Tuesday rose in defence of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, saying that the Federal Government should “desist” from its bid to prosecute them over forgery allegations.

It noted that dragging Saraki and Ekweremadu to court did not only amount to interfering with the “internal affairs” of the Senate, but was also part of a plot to cripple the institution of the National Assembly.

In a resolution in Abuja, the House specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene by cautioning top officials of his administration and stop them from “progressing in error.”

A member from Kogi State, Mr. Tajudeen Yusuf, who brought up the issue under matters of urgent public importance, recalled that the lack of respect for the National Assembly was exemplified in the non-implementation of the resolution passed since March, taking over the Kogi State House of Assembly.

The House argued that seeking to prosecute Saraki and Ekweremadu after an Abuja Federal High Court had ruled that the case in question was an internal affair of the legislature, suggested a desperation to rubbish the National Assembly.

Calling on the executive to abide by the principle of separation of powers and independence of the legislature as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the resolution read further, “The House strongly urge Mr. President, who has sworn to an oath to defend and protect the constitution, to prevail on the members of the executive council to desist from further steps that will cripple the National Assembly.

“These include prosecuting the presiding officers of the Senate over alleged forgery of Senate Rules, which a  competent court of law has also recognised as strictly the ‘internal affair of the National Assembly’, and which judgement has not been set aside by any superior court.”

Citing more instances of disregard for the National Assembly, the House observed that ministers and heads of agencies ignored invitations to appear before committees for oversight.

“It is now commonplace that ministers and heads of parastatals ignore invitations by committees at will.

“The House committees have therefore been rendered toothless because no consequences attach to such wanton refusal of ministers to attend sessions,” the House added.

The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara. 

But, he did not allow the motion to be debated on the grounds that it was “straightforward.”

The matter was referred to the joint committees on Justice and Legislative Compliance after lawmakers endorsed it in a majority voice vote.