Saraki, Ekweremadu’s trial adjourned to Sept. 28

The trial of Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Benedict Efeturi, over alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Order has been adjourned to September 28.

The case presided over by Justice Yusuf Halilu of a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja, had at the last proceedings when the accused persons were arraigned and granted bail, adjourned to yesterday for commencement of trial.

However, following the commencement of the yearly vacation of courts in the country, the legal assistant to the judge at about 7:58am yesterday announced that the court would not be sitting, having received a correspondence to embark on its long vacation.

Although the court did not sit, Saraki Ekweremadu, Maikasuwa and Efeturi were present in court with their counsel and sympathisers.

Meanwhile, the federal government has appointed a new counsel, Aliyu Umar, to prosecute the criminal charge.

Umar is taking over from the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Diri, who on June 27 led the government’s legal team for the arraignment of the four.