After Dismissing Charges Against Saraki, Ekweremadu,  FG Dismisses Charges Against N’Assembly Clerk, Deputy

Barely 24 hours after dropping the charges against Saraki, Ekweremadu, the Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed all allegations of forgery against a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy Benedict Efeturi.

Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi were charged alongside Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, for allegedly falsifying the Senate standing rule to help the Senate President and his deputy emerge leaders of the National Assembly in June, 2015.

They were arraigned on June 10 this year and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

But yesterday , the Federal Government dismissed the allegations against Saraki and Ekweremadu and filed an amended charge before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against Messrs. Maikasuwa and Efeturi.

A litigation officer confirmed that government had made fresh applications to amend the charges, so that only Messrs Maikasuwa and Efeturi would continue to face trial.

On Friday, however, counsel to Federal Government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, said his client was withdrawing the entire charge at the Abuja High Court to allow a similar matter at the Federal High Court proceed.

Hmmm.