The Federal Government of Nigeria has filed a motion to withdraw the charge of criminal conspiracy against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

An affidavit in support of the motion was filed before the High Court of Federal Capital Territory today, Thursday, by a litigation officer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Odubu Loveme.

Saraki and Ekweremadu, as well as a former Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa, and a former Deputy clerk, Ben Efeturi, were first arraigned before Justice Yusuf Halilu on June 10, 2016 via charge No. CR/219/16.

They all pleaded not guilty on July 27, 2016.

In the motion filed today, Mr. Loveme said that counsel to the Federal Government on the matter, Aliyu Umar, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (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”.

Mr. Loveme added that he has, consequently, filed an amended charge.

“That I depose to this affidavit in good faith believing same to be correct to the best of my knowledge and information and in accordance with the Oaths Act Cap 01 laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” he said.

Based on the amended charge, only Maikasuwa and Efeturi would face prosecution.

Count one of the charge against the two civil servants, is that of Criminal Conspiracy punishable under section 97 (1) Penal Code Act ( Northern States) Federation Provisions Act, 1960, Cap 345, laws of the Federation 1990 as amended.

It read: “that Salisu Maikasuwa and Benedict Efeturi, on or about the 9th day of June 2015 at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court agreed to do an illegal act, to wit to make the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended without the authority of the 7th Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria which act was committed by yourselves and that you thereby committed the offence of criminal conspiracy.”

The two officials are accused of fraudulently amending the 2015 Senate Standing Orders without the authority of the 7th Senate “with intention that the Senators elect of the 8th Senate would believe that the said Senate Standing Orders 2015 ( as amended) was made by the authority of the 7th Senate of the Federal republic of Nigeria.”

They are also accused of forging a document punishable under section 366 of the Penal Code Act ( Northern States) Federal Provisions Act, 1960, Cap 345, Laws of the Federation 1990 ( as amended).

The Nigerian Government also accused them of giving false information with the intention to mislead the public.

The Court had on September 28 adjourned the matter to Friday, October 7 for commencement of hearing.

Umar, in his written address in support of the motion to amend the charge on Thursday, stated that the sole issue for determination is “whether the Court can permit the amendment of the charge in terms of the amended charge”.

He said the Court has the powers to permit the amendment based on the provisions of Section 216 (1) of the Administration o Criminal Justice Act.

The Section stated that “ A Court may permit an alteration or an amendment to a charge or framing of a new charge at any time before judgment is pronounced.”

He also quoted Section 216 (3) which states that “Where a Defendant is arraigned for trial on an imperfect or erroneous charge; the Court may permit or direct the framing of a new charge, or any amendment to, or the alteration of the original charge.” [myad]

Governor Jibrilla Bindow of Adamawa State has given a go-ahead for the probe of his predecessor, ex governor Murtala Nyako, especially on the execution of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) projects in the state.
according to the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, who spoke to newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, a five-man Investigative Panel has been constituted to do the job.
The commissioner said that the committee had Alhaji Alfa Belel as Chairman with Ayuba Tumba, Jim Audu and Babs Shuaibu as members while the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Political) in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, would serve as Secretary.
Sajoh also said that the White Paper on Justice Bobbo Umar Judicial Panel of
Enquiry which investigated the former administration of Murtala Nyako had been sent to the state’s Ministry of Justice for advice.
Governor Bindow had recently threatened to ratify the white paper on report of the judicial commission which investigated the administration of Nyako, “if supporters of the former governor continue attempts to sabotage my government”.
This was even as  a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State and a close ally of Nyako, Alhaji Uba Dan-Arewa, dismissed “threats by Bindow to indict Nyako.”
Dan-Arewa said the governor was only playing to the gallery as the former governor had no case to answer.
Dan-Arewa claimed that the Justice Bobboi Umar Judicial Panel of Inquiry, set up by
former acting governor, Umaru Fintiri did not complete its assignment.
Dan-Arewa said: “It is an empty threat because there is nothing like white paper as the said panel did not complete its assignment.”
He said that Fintiri, who set up the panel, was removed from office by an Abuja High Court for illegally occupying the seat of Acting Governor.
“Governor Bala Ngilari who took over from Fintiri snubbed the panel, while the judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, Yola Division, on Nyako’s impeachment delivered in February this year declared Nyako’s impeachment as null and void and of no effect.
“Meaning, Fintiri’s administration which set up the panel does not exist by law.
“If Gov. Bindow wants any white paper to sign, he needs to set up another panel to probe Nyako.”
He cautioned Bindow against heating up the state, adding that the recent formation of the political support group, Team Bindow, by the governor’s supporters, was an attempt to commence campaign ahead of 2019. [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari has painted a vivid picture of how he, ex President Goodluck Jonathan, former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega and other stakeholders collectively disappointed the prophets of doom who had predicted the disintegration of the country after the 2015 general elections.
In a speech delivered today, Thursday at the Leadership Annual Awards and Conference in Abuja, the President declared: “it is the patriotic zeal of President Jonathan, the impartiality of the electoral umpire, INEC and exemplary conduct of the political parties, foreign pressure and other actors that we collectively disappointed the prophets of doom who had predicted the disintegration of the country after the 2015 general elections.”
He said that Nigeria’s democracy has been strengthened by the outcome of the 2015 elections as the citizens now have more faith in the electoral system in the sense that their votes would count when choosing political leaders at various levels.
Buhari described the events of 2015 which the Leadership Newspaper chose to bring to the fore as having marked a watershed in the political history of Nigerian.
“Those of us who were participating actors in the elections were led by the higher ideal of the future of our great country and the well being of our people rather than the mere desire of politicians to win elections.”
The President, who congratulated his joint award winners, ex President Ebele Jonathan and Professor Attahiru Jega as “Leadership Person of the Year,” advised the Nation’s political class to build on the experience of the 2015 elections to nurture the democracy.
“It is my fervent hope that the awards will encourage all those recognized today to remain committed to good behaviour in their various endeavours to justify this recognition and serve as inspiration to others.”
The President commended the Leadership Newspapers for being in the forefront of promoting democracy and positive values that are necessary to achieve national consensus on the issues that tend to challenge our unity and progress as a nation.
“We commend the Leadership Newspapers Group and its publisher, Sam Nda-Isaiah for standing firm on the path of patriotism, justice and fairness.
“Our participation in today’s ceremony is therefore, a mark of confidence in the brand of journalism practiced by the Leadership Newspapers Group as it is a public acknowledgment of the contributions of the media to our administration’s agenda to defeat terrorism and violent extremism in the country, fight corruption and diversify the economy to create jobs for our teeming population and generally improve the standard of living of Nigerians.
“I expect the Nigerian media to join our government in pursuit of these goals not just to criticize to prove their independence.
“The media must continually see itself as true partner in the task of nation building and thus act in the spirit of patriotism at all times in the important role of informing the people of the country.
“On our part, our doors are wide open to media inquiries in line with the transparency and anti-corruption stance of our administration.” [myad]