Senate: Court refuses to stop probe of Ekweremadu, others

Five members of the the pro-Ahmed Lawan group in the Senate have asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop any move to constitute any standing or ad hoc committees of the Senate on the strength of the allegedly forged rules of the upper legislative chamber.

While ruling on Tuesday in an ex-parte motion filed and argued by Manman Osuman on behalf of five senators led by Senator Kabir Marafa, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that there was nothing urgent in what the plaintiffs are asking for.

It also called for the prosecution of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, as well as former Senate president, David Mark.

Various reports this morning said the Nigerian police investigation of an alleged forgery of National Assembly standing rules has finally yielded the obvious: there was indeed a forgery. It therefore recommended the prosecution of those found culpable of forging the orders, which had been used in the controversial election of Saraki and Ekweremadu, on June 9, 2015.

The substantive suit is challenging the constitutionality of the investigation within the context of the doctrine of Separation of Power.

After listening to the ex-parte motion in the case, the court said it could not grant the prayer sought by the plaintiff because it possesses the power to conduct a judicial review of the action complained about in the substantive suit.

He ordered the plaintiffs to put on notice, the defendants in the suit which include the Senate President, Deputy Senate President and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Justice Kolawole adjourned to August 4 for the defendants to show cause.