Court Transfers Suit Against Saraki, Ekweremadu’s Election

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court has transferred the suit filed by five senators of the All Progressives Congress [APC], seeking the removal of Senate President, Bukola Saraki from office. The senators, Abu Ibrahim, Kabiru Marafa, Ajayi Boroffice, Gbenga Ashafa, and Suleiman Othman Hunyuki, in the suit are seeking the nullification of the elections of Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, over allegation of forgery. The judge took the decision based on the fact that he will not have sufficient time to hear the matter as his tenure as a vacation judge expires Friday this week.

Accordingly, he directed counsel to the plaintiffs to serve fresh hearing notices on all respondents and adjourned case to August 13, 2015 to be heard by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of court six. Meanwhile, the Senate President, Abubakar Saraki [1st defendant] is contesting that he was not properly served with the originating summons and other processes relating to the case.

Saraki, through his lawyer, Malam Yusuf Ali [SAN] told the court that the court processes were served on the Office of the Senate President by the bailiff of the court as against personal service required by order 6 Rule 12 of the Federal High Court Rules.

Mr. Sikiru Oke, who announced his appearance for Saraki on behalf of Yusuf Ali yesterday protested the mode of service in court.

But he was swiftly overruled by the court following opposition by counsel to plaintiff’s team headed by Mamman Mike Osuman [SAN] and Dele Adesina [SAN].