The government, however, filed an amended charge which carries the names of both former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi as defendants. According to an online publication, Premium Times, the affidavit in support of the motion for withdrawal was deposed to by litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Lovene.
The Federal Government had through a suit marked CR/219/16 slammed a two count charge on Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, bothering on conspiracy and forgery of House Rules.
When the defendants were arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, they pleaded not guilty to the charge. Trial in the matter was however stalled last week, as the lead Prosecution Counsel, Aliyu Umar, told the court that the office of the AGF was yet to release the case file to him.
He had then prayed the court for an adjournment. The court in turn granted his prayer and adjourned till today for trial.
In the affidavit in support, the deponent averred that counsel to the Federal Government on the matter, Aliyu Umar SAN on September 30 in the office of the Director of Public Prosecution told him that he had studied the case diary and “ had decided to amend the charge in the manner stated on the face of the motion paper”.
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