ABUJA – The ongoing trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, for alleged forgery of Senate Standing Rules is in public interest, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, has said.
While appearing before the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Right on Wednesday, Malami, said the amendment of Senate Rules is against the Upper Chamber’s tradition of amending Senate Rules book.
The AGF however declined further comment since the case is already in court, insisting that he has constitutional obligation to institute criminal case against anybody in the country.
Malami said, “The initiative behind the forgery case was taken in the interest of the public and in the interest of democracy. I want to state clearly that my decision was based on public interest and the aim to prevent abuse of public offices.
“The National Assembly has the powers to regulate its own procedure. But the basis for filing my case was that the position taken was not that of the Senate.
“The Senate Standing Rules allegedly amended in 2015 did not follow the traditional way of amendment. It can therefore not be the position of the Senate. That is where my quarrel comes in.
”If there are certain persons that did not allow the process of amending the Senate Standing Rules go through the constitutional process, we have a responsibility to act by way of initiating a criminal proceeding against those involved.
“The public interest and the need to ensure that no abuse is allowed, I have to take the step to prevent that.”
He spoke further on the matter, “The issue that constitutes the basis of this invitation is a criminal case instituted against certain members of the Senate.
“It is an act that predates my appointment. There are series of suits. The date of interest is 23rd of July, 2015.
“I was appointed on the 12th of November, 2015. That is four months after the investigation was concluded by the NPF.
“I have an obligation in the sustenance of democracy to institute a legal action from an investigation that has been concluded. It was based on this that I took the action.
“The action was not taken to truncate any democratic process, but was taken to protect the democracy. There are now two pending cases in court. One is a civil case instituted by some Senators. The other is a criminal case instituted by the office of the AGF. These two matters are subjudice. When a matter is before a court of law, nobody is entitled to look into it.
“I am guided by the Senate Standing Rules 53. One of the cases was instituted by the office of the AGF. It will be wrong to make any comments on a case still in court. The two matters are pending. Based on that, I will not say more.
“To my mind, the issue had been overtaken by events. I have a tradition of honouring social invitations, much less of an institution like the Senate. I know what they stand for. My inability to come was not out of arrogance or anything. I was out of the country when the invitations were sent.
