The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has given the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation and the police a two-week ultimatum to prefer charges against suspects, who allegedly forged the Senate Standing Orders used for the proclamation of the current 8th Senate, The PUNCH has learnt.

The Senate Standing Orders 2015, alleged to be a forged version of the 2011 version, was used for the leadership election of the Senate, which produced Dr. Bukola Saraki as the Senate President and Ike Ekweremadu as his deputy, shortly after the 8th Senate was proclaimed on June 9, 2015.

Top sources in the Federal Ministry of Justice and the police headquarters confirmed that Malami had given the police and the DPP of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Diri, two weeks to file charges against the suspected forgers.

It was learnt that Malami called for the file on the case last week and found out that the ministry had since July 29, 2015, some months before his appointment, recommended the prosecution of the yet-to-be-identified suspects.

The minister was also said to have discovered in the file that the ministry had requested the police to further investigate the case in order to unravel the suspects and the roles played by them in the case.

The sources confirmed that the suspects would be charged with criminal conspiracy, forgery, breach of official trust and unlawful assembly said to have contravened various provisions of Penal Code in about one or two weeks.

This confirmed The PUNCH’s exclusive story published on April 4, 2016, that the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, had, on July 29, 2015, issued a legal advice for the prosecution of the suspects after considering the report of investigation submitted to him by the police.

The PUNCH had reported that the legal advice, addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department of the Force Headquarters, Dan’Azumi Doma, was received by the recipient’s office on July 29, 2015, the same date it was issued by the DPPF.

The document showed that it was issued in response to the report of police investigation, with reference number CB: 3514/XFQ/ABJ/Vol./23/17, which was sent to the Ministry of Justice by Doma, quoting the number given to the case by the police as FHQ/X/ABJ/SEB/365/2015.

The legal advice as reported by The PUNCH had sought further police investigation to unravel who played what roles in the forgery case in order to identify who to prosecute for flouting the various provisions of the Penal Code.

“When the minister saw all these in the file, he had to call on the officers in charge of the case and asked them to liaise with the police and come up with the charges within two weeks,” the source said.

One of the sources said the minister was patiently taking his time to take decision on the case because “he is aware that there are a lot of vested interests that are out to frustrate the case.”

The source added, “But I can assure you, in one or two weeks’ time, the minister’s decision on the case is going to be made known to the public and you will be impressed.”

Our correspondent had sighted the legal advice issued by the Federal Ministry of Justice with reference number, DPPA/ADV/258/15, recommending that some suspects, whom the police refused to name in their investigative report, should be prosecuted.

The legal opinion, which analysed the evidence thrown up by the police investigation, had indicated that the “leadership election, based on the forged document, cannot stand and it is null and void”.

The legal advice added, “Further investigation should reveal:

“Who authorised the promulgation of the Senate Standing Order 2015?

“Who published the Senate Standing Order 2015?

“Who approved the Senate Standing Order 2015?

“Who paid for the publishing of the Senate Standing Order 2015? and

“Who distributed the Senate Standing Order 2015?”

In addition, the legal advice recommended the yet-to-be-identified suspects to be prosecuted “for criminal conspiracy, contrary to provision of Section 97 of the Penal Code; forgery, contrary to Section 99 of Penal Code; breach of official trust and unlawful assembly contrary to Section 102 of the Penal Code.”

The legal advice also recommended that the various versions of the Senate Standing Orders since 1999 should be collected as part of evidence needed for the prosecution of the case.

When contacted on Sunday, Malami’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Salihu Isah, said he had no information on the case and requested to be given time to find out.

“I have not received any briefing on it. Give me some time to make inquiries about it,” Isah said.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Bisi Kolawole, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, did not respond to calls put across to her mobile by our correspondent on Sunday.

The police had investigated the alleged forgery of the Senate Orders following a petition by Senator Sulaiman Hunkuyi of the All Progressives Congress from Kaduna State.

The petition had alleged that some parts of the 2015 Senate Order were different from the one ratified by the 6th Senate and was used by the 7th Senate, as Standing Orders 2011.

The police had, during their investigation on July 6, questioned some members of the 7th and the 8th Senate as well as some management employees of the Senate, including the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa.

It was alleged that the 2011 version of the Senate Orders was secretly altered by some individuals to produce the 2015 edition.

The 13-page police report of the police investigation had confirmed that the amendment to the 2011 version of the Senate Standing Order to produce the 2015 edition was “criminally” done as it was carried out by only a group of senators.

The police report, however, failed to indict any particular person and also did not recommend anybody for prosecution.

The Deputy IGP, Doma, who was said to have signed the report, had recommended that the report be forwarded to the AGF to determine whether a crime had been committed or the alleged offence could be regarded as an internal affair of the Senate.

Source www.punchng.com/Senate-forgery-agf-orders-dpp-try-suspects/

The executive is interfering too much in the affairs of the legislature. It's hi time the legislature responded with equal ferocity. I miss Chuba Okadigbo.

They wish they can wish it away.

The poster above me though . . .

The Senate thinks thy are above the LAW ,but soon Nigerians will start to tell u without the LAW we are nothing

Very dumb move!! As far as the so-called forgery is concerned,the FG has no case!!if the 2015 senate rule is forged where is the original? Bunch of fools!! Go to court and get disgraced!!nonsense!!every senate has its own senate rule!! 1999,2003,2007,2011 and 2015 senate rules! Each are unique and differant from each other

searchng4love:
The executive is interfering too much in the affairs of the legislature. It's hi time the legislature responded with equal ferocity. I miss Chuba Okadigbo.

A crime of forgery was alleged to have been committed and all you can think of is "executive interference".

Why do you people keep supporting all that is bad and unjust

Its undue interference boi.

omenka:
A crime of forgery was alleged to have been committed and all you can think of is "executive interference".

Why do you people keep supporting all that is bad and unjust

I'm tired of all these stories

omenka:
A crime of forgery was alleged to have been committed and all you can think of is "executive interference".

Why do you people keep supporting all that is bad and unjust

Which stupid forgery? Anyway it is not about rushing to court but rather about winning!! The chance of the FG winning this case is zero!! The 2011 senate rule dies with the seventh senate!! If you said the current 2015 senate rule is forged then you will have to come out with the original!!

searchng4love:
Its undue interference boi.

Was a crime of forgery committed?? Shouldn't that be the most important thing to look out for?? This is why you people have largely become a laughing stock in the country- this attitude isn't gonna take you guys anywhere.

PLEASE, What About The Man That Forged Everything About Him To Rule A Country In Africa, ARE THERE NO ORDER FOR DPP TO TRY HIM??

Mind You No Country Was Mentioned Here..

which people ain't no party member wailer or zombie

omenka:
Was a crime of forgery committed?? Shouldn't that be the most important thing to look out for?? This is why you people have largely become a laughing stock in the country- this attitude isn't gonna take you guys anywhere.

kcnwaigbo:


Which stupid forgery? Anyway it is not about rushing to court but rather about winning!! The chance of the FG winning this case is zero!! The 2011 senate rule dies with the seventh senate!! If you said the current 2015 senate rule is forged then you will have to come out with the original!!

You know I've always ignored your rants as the only thing one can't find in them is commonsense.

Do you know the law better than the Senior advocates?? Do you know it better than the senators who alleged that the Rules were forged??

Why don't you shut the hell up and watch things play themselves out in court instead of running all over the place screaming your head off as though the grim ripper is lurking somewhere around your neighbourhood??

This attitude of supporting everything sleazy in Nigeria you people have decided to make your modus operandi will do nothing but dig you lot deeper into your political grave. When mention is made of a crime being committed, the first people to arrive the scene and claim absolutely nothing untoward had happened is you people- yet you aspire to produce the president someday soon!!

Smh.

Don't bother replying though. You will be ignored.

@ Omenka I think it is hi time we youths reason with eachother objectively and be civil without throwing insults, the other poster raised a salient point which I think needs to be investigated. Thank you.

omenka:
You know I've always ignored your rants as the only thing one can't find in them is commonsense.

Do you know the law better than the Senior advocates?? Do you know it better than the senators who alleged that the Rules were forged??

Why don't you shut the hell up and watch thing play themselves out in court instead of running all over the place screaming your head off as though the grim ripper is lurking somewhere around your neighbourhood??

This attitude of supporting everything sleazy in Nigeria you people have decided to make your modus operandi will do nothing but dig you lot deeper into your political grave. When mention is made of a crime being committed, the first people to arrive the scene and claim absolutely nothing untoward had happened is you people- yet you aspire to produce the president someday soon!!

Smh.

Don't bother replying though. You will be ignored.

searchng4love:
@ Omenka I think it is hi time we youths reason with eachother objectively and be civil without throwing insults, the other poster raised a salient point which I think needs to be investigated. Thank you.

That exactly is the only thing he knows how to do!! Rather than argue intelligently he will continue to throw tantrums!!this is even common sense!! The FG itself knows it has no case hence the delay in trying this case!!! Each senate rule dies with that senate and every senate has had its own unique senate rule,1999,2003,2007,2011 and 2015 senate rules.Now if some fools said the 2015 senate rule used in inaugurating the 8th senate was forged,can anyone provide the original 2015 senate rule that was not forged?

This is even common sense!! Both the useless AGF and Buhari are just been plain stupid

kcnwaigbo:


Which stupid forgery? Anyway it is not about rushing to court but rather about winning!! The chance of the FG winning this case is zero!! The 2011 senate rule dies with the seventh senate!! If you said the current 2015 senate rule is forged then you will have to come out with the original!!

Do you have to advertise your ignorance. Anyway, ignorance is very contagious.

Fire15:


Do you have to advertise your ignorance. Anyway, ignorance is very contagious.

Mr knowledge,you could have at least attempted to counter my positions!! That is why **** like you rush to court and end up embarrassing yourself like the CCB and their stupid witness wetkas

After we're done with Saraki, we'll be coming for Ekweremadu over forgery of the Senate standing rules. If the Senate president can be made to face the law, his deputy will not be spared

Stories to keep us busy......
Another week, another story to keep us excited...


Maybe killing the goat is taking too long without result, am beginning to see reasons why taking the yam from the goat is likely the best option for Nigeria..

That way this suffering begins to subside...

Seriously am not partisan, but hunger knows no man..

The budget has been passed (Glory be to God), can we get to work?

Those ministers hiding under budget passage, if we make landmark achievements, we dont even need to canvass for votes.

[b]Stories to keep us busy......
Another week, another story to keep us excited...


Maybe killing the goat is taking too long without result, am beginning to see reasons why taking the yam from the goat is likely the best option for Nigeria..

That way this suffering begins to subside...

Seriously am not partisan, but hunger knows no man..

The budget has been passed (Glory be to God), can we get to work?

Those ministers hiding under budget passage, if we make landmark achievements, we dont even need to canvass for votes.[/b]

The Executive trying really hard to unsettle the Senate

kcnwaigbo:


Mr knowledge,you could have at least attempted to counter my positions!! That is why fools like you rush to court and end up embarrassing yourself like the CCB and their stupid witness wetkas

stop displaying your ignorance everywhere, if the rules of every senate dies with it then when is the new rules enacted is it before or after constituting it's leadership chest beaters

Great, after the query comes action

Day don break for National Assembly

Waiting for outcome/income

IN D VOICE OF PDP, ITS WITCH HUNTING. YOU ALL GRACE UP FOR A SERIOUSLY SERIOUS TOUGH TIME. KEEP STEALING

kcnwaigbo:

That exactly is the only thing he knows how to do!! Rather than argue intelligently he will continue to throw tantrums!!this is even common sense!! The FG itself knows it has no case hence the delay in trying this case!!! Each senate rule dies with that senate and every senate has had its own unique senate rule,1999,2003,2007,2011 and 2015 senate rules.Now if some fools said the 2015 senate rule used in inaugurating the 8th senate was forged,can anyone provide the original 2015 senate rule that was not forged?

This is even common sense!! Both the useless AGF and Buhari are just been plain stupid

if 2011senate rule die with d last senate, where did 2015 senate get d rule dat elect saraki/ekweremadu as president&deputy president? dat is what some 2015 senators want 2 knw, who make d 2015 law they are presently using now, is a ghost?

omenka:
A crime of forgery was alleged to have been committed and all you can think of is "executive interference".

Why do you people keep supporting all that is bad and unjust

guy no mind dem. Its lack of understanding.

Months back i predicted that, if at all saraki goes down, d nxt step will be the re-introduction of d forgery of senate standing orders.

Ekweremadu will never taste dat seat 'senate president'

kcnwaigbo:


Which stupid forgery? Anyway it is not about rushing to court but rather about winning!! The chance of the FG winning this case is zero!! The 2011 senate rule dies with the seventh senate!! If you said the current 2015 senate rule is forged then you will have to come out with the original!!

what a silly way of commenting. When did d 8th NASS amend d their standing orders before they did their election in d senate?


D standing orders is only amended when all the officials are voted. Nt wen somebody amended it to help him occupy his desire seat.

kuuljay:
stop displaying your ignorance everywhere, if the rules of every senate dies with it then when is the new rules enacted is it before or after constituting it's leadership chest beaters

The senate clerk prepars the senate rule for the incomming senate!! The 2015 senate rule is for the 8th senate,if anyone says it was forged then you will have to prove it was forged!!! Nonsense

Saraki has already been docked, Ekeremadu is about to be docked. We must put the thieving Senate in Buhari's pocked. Take it or leave it.

[quote author=kcnwaigbo post=45446170]

Which stupid forgery? Anyway it is not about rushing to court but rather about winning!! The chance of the FG winning this case is zero!! The 2011 senate rule dies with the seventh senate!! If you said the current 2015 senate rule is forged then you will have to come out with the original!! [/quote



I'm wondering if u read d article or just typed ur comment? The onus is on the accused to prove how they came about d 2015 senate rules, who approved it, who printed it, who distributed it etc

When did d 8th senate sit to pass d 8th senate rules? U are allowed to be a wailer, but, pls, add commonsense abeg!

This is a case Ekweremadu and co will lose no matter what....it is very certain that the Senate Rule for the 8th Senate was manipulated to suit their already planned "wayo" to hand Saraki the Senate President office.....another blow to Saraki's inordinate ambition.