Forgery: I’m Not Witnessing Against Saraki, Others As Buhari’s Aide – Ojudu

The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has said his role as a witness in the case involving the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Rules, has to do with his membership of the 7th Senate and as one of the conveners of the Unity Forum that called the police attention to the matter.

Ojudu said his involvement in the case has nothing to do with his current position as the Special Adviser to the President, but as a member of the Unity Forum.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has charged Saraki and Ekweremadu for alleged forgery and conspiracy before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Also arraigned in court are the immediate past clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the deputy clerk of the house, Mr. Benard Efeturi.

Ojudu is one of the witnesses in the case.

He said: “My statement and other witnesses’ statement were taken months before my appointment. As a member of the Unity Forum, I am one of those who worked for Senator Ahmed Lawan as the preferred candidate for the Senate Presidency in the June 9, 2015 election.

“There are three groups of senators, they are: the Unity Forum, Like Minds and the Non-Aligned. The Unity Forum comprises both serving and non-serving senators. I am an active member, being a senator in the 7th Senate from 2011 to 2015.”

Stressing that he was at the Senate for four years, Ojudu said that at no time were the rules amended.

He added: “So tampering with the rules by the current Senate was seen as a misnomer by us and that was why we petitioned the police.”

“The statement we did to the police on the matter predated my appointment and that of Senator Ita Enang. It will therefore be preposterous for anyone to classify me as representing the Presidency on the matter.”