Forgery: I am not answerable to you – AGF tells Senate

The fight between Senate and Executive over alleged forgery of Senate’s rules worsen on Thursday as the Attorney General of Federation, A‎bubakar Malami disclosed lacks

the jurisdiction to handle the matter adding that he only answerable to President.

Senate had summoned Malami to appear before its Committee over the issue of alleged forgery of Senate’s rule instituted against Senate’s leadership.

 Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the Deputy Clerk, Ben Efeturi, are currently facing trial before to the FCT High Court over alleged forgery of Rule book.

‎But, speaking before the Committee an aide, Mr Okoi Obono – Oblo who is the Special Assistant to President Buhari on Public Prosecution who represented AGF , said the  the committee has no right under the constitution to invite Malami.

He explained that the Committee that the AGF whom he intended to represent at the session , is not answerable to the Senate but the President.

The Presidential Aide who was later walked out by the committee after the offensive submission informed while responding to questions that AGF‎ has done nothing wrong by taking the matter before the Competent Court.

He insisted that‎ Senate is not the one under trial but Saraki and Ekweremadu who alleged were charged to Court for forgery allegation.

Obono-Obla said,”The AG has not done anything wrong. The AG has not undermined democracy. He acted pursuant to his powers vested on him by the Constitution, Section 174 (1) says he can prosecute anybody. And he has done that. The Senate is not on trial. 

“He has not taken the Senate to court. He has taken four persons to court. They are not the Senate. Being President of the Senate does not make you the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

“The matter was investigated by the police and a prima facie case was established and the AG invoked his powers under Section 174 (1) to initiate criminal proceedings against those persons. And this matter is now before a court of law. There is separation of powers in Nigeria. It is not position of the Senate to constitute themselves into a court of law.

When newsmen whether the matter is internal affairs or not, Malami representative said,”It is not true. If I go to the chambers of the National Assembly to shoot you, would it be an internal affair? The Senate Rule is a law and somebody allegedly forged the rules.

On the issue of not inviting Saraki by Police, he said,”It doesn’t matter. So, let him go and tell that to the court. That is why he should hands off. And allow the court to hear this matter. At the end of the day if it is established that this charge is frivolous, the court will discharge him but not to take the position that the AG has committed any crime. He’s not answerable to them.

“By virtue of the principle of Separation of Powers, he is answerable to the President who appointed him. And he has not done anything wrong.

“You cannot be a judge in your own case. We don’t have confidence in the committee.”

The Committee however resolved to report the non appearance of the AGF before it on the forgery case to  Senate plenary for appropriate action .

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