The Maitama, Abuja, home of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was gutted by fire on Friday morning.
The Nation gathered that the fire was caused by electric spark in the building’s gymnasium hall.
However, no casualty was recorded in the incident.
Details later…
Cash is king, no, cash is god May history be damned! Monetise our legacy! Hand us cash bequeathals! This must be the silent chant of members of our National Assembly (NASS) in the last 16 years. If only they knew any better; if only they realised that the unit of measure of life’s worth lies in legacies and not currencies.
This is why history will have no golden chapter for Senator David Mark who was Senate president and head of NASS for eight years. The refrain of his supporters has been that he was instrumental to stabilising the Fourth Republic and Nigeria’s nascent democracy. But ‘stabilise’ to what end? Didn’t he merely hold down the cow for it to be milked to death?
As this column has always canvassed, the position of the Senate President is only second in importance to that of the President of the federal republic. Therefore, under the control of a noble and enlightened mind, the NASS is a veritable instrument for ringing far-reaching socio-political and constitutional changes. But as we have witnessed, none of the structural dysfunction plaguing the polity was righted; no landmark legislation such that could untangle the system and unleash the potentialities of the state was pushed.
For 16 years, the NASS remained a wayward, licentious lad and in eight years under David Mark’s leadership, it grew into a rapacious money mongering ogre; a loose King Kong trampling the polity and gobbling up our commonwealth. Mark will be remembered for the singular achievement of nurturing a NASS where members earned more than members of the US Congress and the British Parliament put together. We will remember him for bequeathing us with the inimitable legacy of a rogue assembly during his presidency.
We remember Mark today and for always for that outstanding record of creating a NASS that earned the highest wages in the world. We will always remember him for breeding a corps of hard-hearted men and women who are lacking in compunction or empathy for the teeming horde of a poor and deprived populace.
We will remember David Mark and his gang not only for mindlessly immiserising the people but for also over-sighting the historic pillage of the country in the last five years. Never in our history had a parliament entered into such incestuous relationship with the executive branch to rape and ravage the country and her people. Saraki, Chip of the old PDP block While we shall allow history to damn Mark and his baleful lot, we shall have to march on the current Assembly. In just a few days, it has become obvious that Senator Bukola Saraki, the new president of the Senate, is as much a lost soul as Mark. For Saraki, ‘change’ must be a stupid new buzzword Nigerians have just discovered. None of all that ‘change nonsense’ for him; Nigeria’s billions of naira beckons, it seems. His eyes must be firmly glued to a future of imperial positions, and he needs money to purchase it. That is all that matters; again, legacy be damned!
One had thought that Senator Saraki would be influenced by the advantage of better learning and better democratic credentials. We are mistaken it seems. A buccaneer is a pirate and a vampire will always relish blood. Having tasted blood (of the people) in his first term, it is too late to let up now. It does not matter that the economy is flailing, it does not matter that revenues have dried up drastically and it does not matter that workers are not being paid their humble wages across the country. All that matters is to grab positions over which they had bludgeoned themselves since inauguration in May. Now that positions seem settled, the time has come to shovel funds generously into their pockets.
This must be the best job in the world Is it possible that these NASS members have hurled home the sums we hear they have hurled in just three months of bickering and taking recesses? Is it true that about N13 billion has been shared by our lawmakers already? Is it true that each of the senators has been paid at least N36 million, while each of the House of Representatives members has pocketed about N25 million so far?
It is scary that all our lawmakers including supposed ‘noble’ men and women (like Ben Murray-Bruce and Dino Melaye) in these pristine chambers would not take a definitive and open stance against what is obviously an obscene, under-the-table payouts. How on earth did the NASS arrive at an annual budget of N120 billion (N150billion up till last year)? Why should NASS comprising of only 469 lawmakers have a bureaucracy of about 4660 civil servants?
Even at that, why would a NASS with a total head count of 5129 persons have an annual budget of N120 billion, while a state like Benue for instance, with a population of about 4.2 million people has an annual budget of N98.5 billion? To think that such states like Benue would have to also provide infrastructure and public utilities, such as roads, water, health and educational facilities, among others. What this suggests is that the NASS may not need more than N25 billion in total annual budget.
We will therefore expect the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in all its twiddling and twaddling about fixing legislators’ emoluments and pay cuts, tell us what N120 billion is used for.
The Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF), which ought to scrutinise all appropriated spendings in the federation, has been remiss in its duties. It is its duty to ensure that every kobo of this whopping sum is accounted for.
Members of NASS have been sharing cash as if they were hooded bandits sharing booty this last decade because the federal audit system had become near moribund. Since it has become obvious that Saraki is anything but a change agent and that it seems his leadership would be worse than Mark’s, Nigerians must brace up to effect the change they need by themselves. Enough is enough! Who needs the Senate anyway?
Extolling the Gov Wada spirit
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State is a man of gentle mien and soft words. These characteristics are often mistaken by onlookers as weakness. It is especially so in a political environment that has become the verisimilitude of a jungle. There is therefore, no room for gentlemen of culture and nurture as Wada has proven to be in nearly four years. Here, you either hunt, or get hunted; trample or get trampled upon. In fact, to lead around here you must first make sure that not one person around you is standing erect.
But it is not so for the Kogi governor, Idris Wada. No matter what else may be said about him, he has played politics of love and upheld a doctrine of live and let live. He displayed it amply last week when he picked nomination form at his party’s headquarters in Abuja. While others in his shoes would unsettle their domain in order to get an automatic second term ticket, he on the other hand, decried do-or-die politics noting: “If I win I will thank God. But if I lose in free and fair primary, I will support whoever emerges. It is not a do-or-die affair.”
In a state that is prone to political volatility, it is often salutary to hear the man at the helm speak peace and project humility from the seat of power. Here is commending the Wada spirit to other political leaders.
SIR: The dog that will get lost, perhaps forever, will not hear the whistle of the hunter. Bukola Saraki, Nigeria’s self-styled Senate President, is running against strong winds of public discontent and disgust with his unbridled lust for power.
Rather than eat humble pie and respect the party and the President, Saraki is set in his ways of treachery and arm-twisting. He thinks money answereth all things. But now, he has added blackmail to his many tools. Simply put, he has sent out the message which all unbiased political observers long expected; that he will frustrate any nominee from the Buhari/Tinubu camp during the Senate screening. We wish Saraki all the best.
However, Saraki needs be reminded that Nigerians will see through his bags of tricks and will hold him responsible for sabotaging the agenda of change for which Buhari was elected.
How much is one man’s ambition worth? Is it worth the destruction of a government? Is it worth the corruption of the system? Is it worth holding the President and the party to ransom? Saraki is on a journey of no return.
His days are numbered in the seat he so undeservedly occupies.
The story of Saraki’s rebellion and his crushing ambition to become Senate President is well known. What is not well known yet is where it will lead to and where it will end. Saraki is not alone on this journey. As the script plays out, we know Saraki,s destination. Nigerians already have formed their opinion about Saraki as a usurper. How he intends to hold the government of Buhari to ransom is incomprehensible. How Tinubu is responsible for his present problem with the President is unclear. The nominees for key positions are nominees of the government picked to serve Nigerians. Every attempt to frustrate them must be regarded as unpatriotic and a sabotage of the Nigerian nation.
The process that produced Saraki was fraudulent. Saraki now behaves as if Nigeria owes him. He is on an Olympian height. He is riding the tiger and we know what happens to those who do that. The Nigerian people will rise against him for impeding the government they worked, sweated and died to elect.
The unfolding political drama has exposed Saraki as a character who wants power at all costs. But beyond the throne of bayonets he now sits are the well-founded allegations of corruption that have being hanging over his
head for years. He must be made to answer because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. No amount of media slant or public relations can save Saraki from the tide that will blow his way.
Saraki is his own problem. Not Tinubu. Not Buhari. He brought it upon himself. Hence, only he should bear his cross. Not the Buhari-loving Nigerians. Not the carefully selected nominees Buhari want in his government.
Lagos
•Ndume, Gaya, Aliero lead emissary
•Dogara’s compliance with party’s directive puts Senate President under pressure
Some loyalists of Senate President Bukola Saraki are beating a retreat in the lingering cold war with the All Progressives Congress (APC) hierarchy over the leadership crisis in the Red Chambers.
They have already reached out to President Muhammadu Buhari for the purpose of reconciling with him and, by extension, the party leadership.
It was learnt that members of the peace team are also likely to meet with a national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
However,the Saraki loyalists were said to have left the first meeting with Buhari “uncomfortable” on account of his body language.
Saraki and his loyalists had defied the party by rejecting its candidates for principal positions in the Senate.
They shunned the June 9 meeting convened by the APC to resolve the matter and teamed up with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect their own candidates including Saraki as Senate President and PDP’s Ike Ekweremadu as his deputy.
It was gathered that House of Representtives Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s compliance with the APC’s directive on the choice of principal officers in the House was largely responsible for the change of heart by Saraki and his supporters having being put under pressure by Dogara’s move.
It was gathered that the Buhari/ Saraki’s loyalists and strategists meeting took place at the Presidential Villa a few days ago.
It was shielded from reporters for what a source described as “avoiding media backlash on the fresh peace process.”
The “peace team” ,according to sources,was led by Senate Leader Ali Ndume.
Among those who accompanied him were Senators Adamu Aliero, Danjuma Goje, Kabiru Gaya and Abdullahi Adamu.
Two of the Senators admitted last night that they were at the meeting.
The others could not be reached.
Investigation revealed that the Senators were disturbed that all is not well between the Senate and the Presidency.
The mild drama at the Abuja Eid ground during the last Eid-el-Fitr festival when the President and Saraki barely exchanged greetings was said to have made the “peace session” inevitable.
Besides, the President is said to have refused to meet and discuss policy issues with Saraki,causing more anxiety for loyalists of the Senate President.
A reliable source: “These Senators, comprising mainly of some former governors came to explore peace between the Presidency and the Senate.
“Obviously, the Senators were subtly running an errand for Saraki. I think their trip was a consequence of the Abdulsalami Peace Committee’s meeting with Saraki.”
One of those at the meeting with Buhari said: “It was actually a family affair thing. When you see a threat looming, you do not need to wait till it becomes a bigger challenge.
“We are doing everything to reconcile the President and the Senate President and other stakeholders in APC to move forward.
“We want to see that everything goes on well. Whatever is the problem, we are going to sort it out.
“There is no point pretending. The President and some APC leaders have been unhappy with the Senate President. We cannot allow the crisis of confidence to fester. This is why we decided to intervene.”
Another source on the trip said: “Yes, the President gave us audience in spite of the fact that he was not too happy with some of us on the roles we played. But I commend his magnanimity.
“We explained the situation of things to him and why he should forgive and forget whatever went wrong. We know what to do in the spirit of reconciliation to accommodate the Ahmed Lawan group.”
Asked about the countenance of the President after the session, the source added: “Uncomfortable but hope is not lost. I won’t tell you what the President said at the meeting.
“I think the President’s grouse was that the party’s directive was ignored despite his appeal that Senators should respect party supremacy. He does not hate Saraki.”
It was gathered last night that some Senators had been approaching a national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for reconciliation on the Senate crisis.
It was learnt that Senate Leader Ndume is also coordinating the “reach-out- to-all initiative.”
There were strong indications last night that Ndume might have made some shuttles to Lagos to meet with Tinubu and some APC leaders.
The overtures could not be independently confirmed from Ndume as at the time of filing this report.
A respected APC top shot said: “I think it is a jealously guarded script being driven by Ndume.
“The reality is that Dogara’s deference to party’s directive has put pressure on Saraki and the APC caucus in the Senate.
“While Dogara opted to be his own man at the last minute, Saraki’s loyalists stuck to their script which has put the Senate on the edge and created mutual distrust between the President and the Senate President.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on June 23 letter wrote Saraki on the party’s position on the sharing of principal offices in the Senate.
The letter, referenced APC/NHDQ/NAM/01/015/05, said: “Please find below for your necessary action names of principal officers approved by the party after excessive consultations for the 8th Senate as follows: Sen. Ahmed Lawan (Majority Leader)—North-East; Prof. Sola Adeyeye (Chief Whip)—South-West; Sen. George Akume (Deputy Majority Leader) —North-Central; and Sen. Abu Ibrahim (Deputy Chief Whip) —North-West.”
But Saraki said it was impossible to comply with the directive of the party because the principal officers had already been selected before the letter was received.
A source in Lawan’s camp said: “We were aware of the meeting between the President and the affected Senators. They said they are after peace, but without putting options on the table.”
Saraki himself is confident that the Senate will bounce back after what he calls some distractions.
The Senate President in a tweet yesterday said: “Although the 8th Senate has had some distractions,we have hit the ground running.
“When we return, Nigerians can expect more oversight actions.”
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday received with shock the news of the death of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
Saraki in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, said it was difficult to believe the information that a man he met in Borno about a week ago during his tour of some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri could have left this world so soon.
Saraki said: “When I met Umar Mustapha in Maiduguri, he was so full of life that it could not have crossed ones imagination that we were meeting for the last time.
“He came across to me as a complete gentleman who was doing all in his power to assist his principal, Governor Kashim Shettima, not only to defeat insurgency in the zone, but to bring succour to the entire people of Borno State, especially those adversely affected by the insurgency.
“It is a pity that today he is not going to witness the imminent end of the mindless bloodletting and destruction of property being visited on a peaceful and hospitable people in the North-East zone of the country.
“We can only take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and died in the service of his people. He was a complete gentleman and a devoted servant-leader. May Almighty Allah grant him a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus”, Saraki stated.
The Senate President also commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the governor and people of Borno State and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the sad incident.
He added that “Only the complete and total eradication of insurgency from every part of the North-East and other affected parts of the country can serve as a befitting tribute to this great Nigerian who has departed so soon.”
Senate President Bukola Saraki has closed his defence at the Kwara State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Kwara Central, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, is challenging the victory of Saraki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) standard-bearer.
Counsel to the respondent, Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN), on Monday closed his defence without calling for any witness, but his APC counterpart, Abdulwahab Bamidele, asked for a short adjournment to enable him call witnesses.
The petitioner’s counsel, Francis Obumse, also closed his case, giving way to respondents’ counsels for defence.
Four witnesses called by the petitioner testified at the tribunal during the five days allotted for the PDP candidate to prove his case.
The tribunal admitted two additional exhibits. They include stubs/counterfeits of used ballot papers in respect of the senatorial election. The issued but unused ballot papers were marked as exhibits P5 and P6.
The Justice Josiah Majebi-led three-man tribunal adjourned the petition till
today for continuation of defence.
Saraki at the previous sitting opposed
the tendering of electoral documents, arguing that the documents were not
listed or referred to in any of the deposition of the witness.
Senate President Bukola Saraki has closed his defence at the Kwara state Legislative Houses Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.
Kwara central Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (petitioner) in the March 28th Presidential/National Assembly elections is challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Bukola Saraki at tribunal.
Counsel to Saraki, Malam Yusuf Ali (SAN) on Monday closed his defence without calling for any witness, but his APC counterpart, Abdulwahab Bamidele requested for short adjournment to enable him call forth their witnesses.
Petitioner’s counsel, Francis Obumse also closed his case, giving way to respondents’ counsels for defence.
Four witnesses called by the petitioner all testified before the tribunal during the five days allotted for PDP candidate to prove his case.
The tribunal admitted two additional exhibits; the exhibits include stubs/counterfeits of used ballot papers in respect of senatorial election in Kwara Central and the Issued but unused ballot papers in the election were marked as Exhibits P5 and P6.
Justice Josiah Majebi-led three-man tribunal, however, adjourned the petition till today (Wednesday) for continuation of defence.
Saraki had at the previous sitting opposed the tendering of electoral documents, arguing that the documents were not listed or referred to in any of the deposition of the witness.
A former member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mufutau Egberongbe, has said it is not too late for Senate President Bukola Saraki to resign following allegations that he was elected under forged rules.
Egberongbe represented Apapa Constituency 1 in the 7th Lagos Assembly, wondered why morality has been thrown to the dogs by some politicians in their desperation to hold on to power.
“In whose interest was the Senate rules forged,” the former lawmaker asked, adding, “Is it in the interest of the masses or some individuals? Definitely, it is not in the interest of the masses. As it were, moral persuasion forms part of the characteristics of a leader, but this is suffering in the present circumstance. Therefore, the man (Saraki) should just honourably resign and apologise to Nigerians.
“Even if he feigns ignorance of the fact that the rules were forged, he should still resign on moral ground and become a role model for the youths.”
Egberongbe urged the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to apply disciplinary measures to ensure that Saraki does not become a cankerworm that would erode party discipline.
He noted, “Most of the issues bedeviling this country bother on morals, including dishonesty, stealing of government money and all forms of inhuman activities. If there are morals, issues of corruption would be a thing of the past. Your morality is your personality. Therefore, persons of high moral decadence are not right to lead us. Saraki should resign honourably.”
Egberongbe also expressed disappointment in a statement credited to Alex Badeh, the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, who cited lack of funding and equipment as few of the reasons why insurgency in the North East has not been tackled.
When I read about the obfuscation coming from an Abuja court about the forgery at the senate, claiming it was an internal affair, I knew, instinctively, that we were beginning to see a recrudescence of PDP-ism , now emboldened by Saraki’s ego-driven theatricals.
Unless and until Senator Ike Ekweremadu honourably steps aside/or is eased out as Deputy Senate President, the crisis in the senate cannot be said to be over. The intrigue and contrivance woven by Saraki to bind and bond with Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President is most subversive. It cannot breed trust between the senate and the ruling party, APC, and the Buhari presidency. Since we are not running a government of National Unity, the question of a bi-partisan legislature becomes an aberration. What is not morally right can never be politically correct.” – Canada-based Sir Fred Akinsanmi, JP.
Granted that Senate President Bukola Saraki has, in the past, severally proved himself totally unscrupulous in the pursuit of power, it still comes as most puzzling, if, indeed, not politically suicidal, that he, a medical doctor, two-time state governor and former Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, one you would have no qualms describing as a brilliant politician could, well aware of the plethora of allegations against him, still decide to railroad himself into the office of the president of the Nigerian senate, not only against his party’s preferences, but do so through standing orders he knew were forged, as has now been confirmed by the office of the Attorney-General vide a statement by the Head of Civil Litigation, Federal Ministry of Justice. Talking about his multitude of outstanding problems, a yet to be controverted report by POINTBLANKNEWS of 13, August 2013 reads as follows:”Senator Bukola Saraki who returns to the EFCC today to face further grilling over some alleged fraudulent transactions, is having tons of massive fraud charges hanging on his neck. He was a guest of the EFCC on Monday for several hours, but was released on administrative bail and asked to return Tuesday. The former governor maintained that he had no cause to be invited, since the issues had been investigated by the agency over the years. It will be recalled that the commission had, last week, vowed to take all necessary measures to arrest and bring Saraki to justice over his tenure as governor and at the SGN bank. EFCC vowed last Friday to take necessary steps to arrest and try him for several fraud-related cases. He allegedly laundered billions of naira belonging to Inter Continental Bank of Nigeria Plc (now Access Bank) and also allegedly used fronts like Sintex Ltd, Skyview Properties Ltd, Asam Oil, Quality Packing Ltd, Bastone Ltd, Madison Properties Ltd, and Airline catering Services, to launder billions of naira. The monies, which were given out as loans, were later written off as bad debts’. (Report slightly edited for space constraints). The last Nigerians heard about this is not that he has been discharged and acquitted but rather, that efforts to get him prosecuted are being frustrated by a certain bank.
My respect for Senator Saraki inched a notch higher when it turned out he was the whistle blower in the humongous oil subsidy scam. President Buhari, no Nigerians, would still have had to be wary of the present senate even if it had not started off forging its own standing orders consisting, as it does, of a glut of former state governors who literally ran their states aground; those the respected former Nigerian Attorney-General, Chief Richard Akinjide, recently described as very corrupt. For instance, an investigation by Saturday PUNCH has revealed that over N172bn fraud cases are in court against these former governor -senators. It should not surprise therefore that most of their states lead in the unpaid workers saga.
I digress.
Can a determined effort to escape justice then be the sole reason a former governor and returning senator, would smuggle himself into the National Assembly premises at an ungodly hour, hide in a small car – his own words – and proceed, rather shamelessly, to trade off the Senate Deputy President position which should normally be held by a member of his own party to a member of a discredited PDP, which party Nigerians so comprehensively rejected only a few weeks earlier? Could it be he momentarily forgot that the ancien regime was gone with all its wiles? Could this be why, sitting pretty in that office, and edged on by some ex- SUG, karate fighting muscle-men, he permitted /schemed the elevation of a first time senator to the post of Senate minority leader where there are ranking senators?
Obviously, ambition must have limits.
My fear of this senate leadership, perched there dangerously just because Bukola Saraki so disrespects both the president and the APC on whose platform he emerged senator, is enormous. At least, a more respectful Speaker Dogara, has since shown respect to both the president and to party supremacy. My fear of the senate leadership’s capacity for evil is huge because it can delay, if not frustrate, the president’s change agenda and thus constitute a stumbling block to a country genuinely and eagerly in search of real change: a change from the suffocating kleptomania of the recent past, to a robust, corruption-fighting government which will be seen to be working for the good of the greater majority of the people – a change indeed, that Nigerians are beginning to see.
Only this past week, the Buhari administration appointed a first class and very experienced Ibe Kachikwu, as the new helmsman at the NNPC and before you know it, eight hitherto wasteful and unaccountable group divisions came crashing down to four. That can only be the least of the positive tidings to come from a corporation that has since been turned to a cesspool of corruption.
When I read about the obfuscation coming from an Abuja court about the forgery at the senate, claiming it was an internal affair, I knew, instinctively, that we were beginning to see a recrudescence of PDP-ism , now emboldened by Saraki’s ego-driven theatricals. The PDP crowd has always believed that everybody has a price since money, illicit money, is not their problem. But God be praised, both the Attorney-General’s Office, and that of the Inspector-General of Police have made a short shrift of that effort. It was particularly fascinating reading the IG’s office saying that: ‘IGP Solomon Arase believes that the allegations are criminal and that the police cannot be restrained from investigating it.’ It actually went on to question the powers of the court to restrain either the police or the AGF from performing their statutory responsibilities.
How time changes? GEJ days, the A-G would have simply withdrawn the case from court.
I am happy for IGP Arase who, it seems, wants to use the short time at his disposal to make a mark, reposition the police and leave a worthy legacy like the Hon. Justice Alfa Belgore (GCON) – 2006-2007- did within a few months, as Chief Justice, and left his name in gold. With the current senate leadership in place, not only could it be maneuvered into opposition against the change agenda, the president could, indeed, be serially frustrated by delaying tactics, especially in enactments and in appointments that require its approval. Also with Saraki successfully rebuffing the ruling party, and given these senators’ penchant for, and their unquenchable thirst for what they call juicy committees which underpinned Saraki’s recent endorsement by 81 members, a very bad precedent would have been laid, literally making them untouchable. Who then will ask them to reasonably, and substantially, reduce their mountain of remunerations which has seen them emerge as the highest paid legislators anywhere on the face of the earth?
It is heart-warming, however, to hear the I-G’s office say that the senate forgery raises issues of criminality about which the police owes Nigerians the duty to unearth the truth. It is equally sweet music to hear that the investigation has since been concluded and, according to the Head of Civil Litigation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Taiwo Abidogun, who gave the clincher, those involved will very soon have their day in court, since, according to him, ‘a completed act can no longer be stayed.’
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday rejected a complaint by Senate President Bukola Saraki against a suit seeking to sack him and other principal officers of the Senate elected under the controversial Senate Standing Orders 2015.
His counsel Sikiru Oke told the court yesterday that he appeared for the Senate President “in protest” and has not filed “memorandum of appearance” which must be filed before a lawyer could enter appearance for a party in a case.
The proceedings were in relation to a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/651/2015 filed by senators who are opposed to the emergence of Dr. Saraki as the Senate President.
They are: Senators Abu Ibrahim; Kabir Marafa; Ajayi Boroffice; Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Hunkuni. Defendants to the suit are Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; the National Assembly, the Clerks of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The plaintiffs seek among other prayers an order nullifying the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as well as the election of Saraki as the Senate President and that of Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President, for being products of the alleged illegal rules.
Justice Gabriel Kolawole had at the last hearing in the case on July 28, adjourned the case to yesterday for the hearing of the plaintiffs’ motion on notice seeking an order restraining Saraki and other defendants from going ahead to constitute the standing committees of the Senate, pending the determination of their suit challenging the validity of the Senate Standing Orders 2015.
Oke contended that court processes in the case were served on his office instead of being served personally on his client, as prescribed by the Federal High Court Rules 2009.
Plaintiffs’ counsel Dele Adesina (SAN) in a counter argument, contended that there are obligatory provisions of the same court rules which envisages and validates service on Saraki through his office.
Adesina also argued that Oke could not be heard since he had yet to file memorandum of appearance to appear for the first defendant (Saraki).
Ruling, Justice Kolawole upheld Adesina’s position and disqualified Oke from appearing for Saraki during the proceedings.
He directed that the case be transferred to another judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who will take over as the vacation judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja onAugust 10.
He adjourned to August 13.
Justice Kolawole had, in a ruling on July 28, dismissed an exparte application by the plaintiffs in which they had earlier sought a restraining order against the constitution of the senate standing committees.
In the ruling, Justice Kolawole said the disputes arising from the alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Orders constituted internal legislative affair of the Senate which the court would not want to intervene in.