While Dogara, Jibrin fight dirty, Ekweremadu raises point
– At a time the eighth House of Representatives is facing its worst time, deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, is speaking out
– Ekweremadu revealed that his only offence against the powers that be is that he emerged the second in the chain of command at the National Assembly
– He reiterates his commitment to the principles of separation of power, independence of the legislature and growth of Nigeria’s democracy
Deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, is insisting that he is being prosecuted by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government.
Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu
Ekweremadu, who is facing prosecution with Senate President Bukola Saraki for forgery of the rules if the upper chamber, says he is just being persecuted for becoming the second in the chain of command against the wishes of some powerful people.
The Sun reports that Ekweremadu spoke when he received members of the Enugu State Economic Advisory Committee at his residence in Enugu.
The National Assembly has been crises-ridden since 2015 when it was inaugurated. The House of Representatives, which was hitherto seen as peaceful is now embroiled in allegations of budget padding against the speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and some principal officers.
The committee was set up by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ekweremadu is a member.
Ekweremadu expressed innocence in the allegation against him and reiterated his commitment to the principles of separation of power, independence of the legislature and growth of Nigeria’s democracy.
“I am indeed humbled by your solidarity.
“As they say, the true test of a man is not where he stands in the time of comfort; it is where he stands when there is crisis.
“Many people may not take this step of faith because of the situation we found ourselves in the country; some may be afraid of their liberty and afraid of any reprisals.
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“But you have stepped out to come and show solidarity and ask questions in a matter concerning one of your sons.
“Let me start by saying that I reinstate my innocence; that I committed no offence or forged any documents; and non of the accused persons, to the best of my knowledge, committed any offence, let alone forging any document.
“Let me also say that no senator accused me, president of the Senate or the other people of committing any offence. No senator or bureaucrat accused us of forging any document.
“Again, as a lawyer, I know what is called proof of evidence, that is the statement of witnesses who are going to confront you with the offence for which you are being charged.
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“I was served, and I have read this document (court process) from the first page to the last page; no witness said any of us committed any offence.
“Our only offence is that Senator Bukola Saraki and myself emerged as president of the Senate and deputy president of the Senate.
“Some people found it unacceptable and that is why we are being charged, not that we committed any offence,” he said.
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