President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government filed a motion and
have withdrawn the charge of criminal conspiracy. The high court in
Abuja, granted the application of the federal government to withdraw the
forgery charge against Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu, alongside Salisu
Maikasuwa, former clerk of the national assembly, and Ben Efeturi, his
deputy.
According to Punch newspaper, the lead prosecuting counsel, Aliyu
Umar (SAN), told the trial judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Jabi
Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, on Friday,
that the charges were being withdrawn because of a pending case related
to the charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“This government respects the rule of law, and hierarchy of the
judiciary. It is obvious from these two applications (filed by Saraki
and Ekweremadu) and the similar case before your learned brother,
Justice Kolawole, at the Federal High Court who is dealing with the
issue that we are withdrawing the charges.
“It is trite that two matters of the same subject matter cannot
be before different courts of coordinate jurisdiction. Therefore, the
amended charge dated October 5, 2016 and also the original dated June
10, 2016 and filed the same date be struck out and all the four
defendants be discharged,” he said.
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