The trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu before a Federal FCT High Court, sitting in Jabi, on charges of forgery has commenced.

The small courtroom is full to the brim with many lawyers standing.

He was accompanied to the court by many senators, House of Representatives members political associates and supporters.

One of the prominent senators with Saraki was Senator Shehu Sanni who could not get a seat inside the courtroom.

There was also Kawu Baraje, a former acting Chairman of PDP.

” This is not democracy,” Baraje was heard muttering as he contemplates the situation of the Senate President.

Saraki and Ekweremadu came in very early for the trial.

There are even more people outside of the courtroom than inside.

Senator Bukola Saraki

Also being tried alongside the two presiding officers of the Senate on the same charges are the outgoing clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the deputy clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Ben Efeturi.

The four were accused of altering sections of the Senate Standing Rules with which the presiding officers of the Senate were elected on June 9, 2015.

The charge signed by the principal state counsel, Federal Ministry of Justice, D. E. Kaswe, reads thus, “That you, on or about June 9, 2015, with fraudulent intent, forged the Senate Standing Orders 2011 (as amended) causing it to be believed as the genuine Standing Orders 2015 and circulated same for use during the inauguration of the 8th Senate when you knew that the said order was not made in compliance with the procedure for the amendment of the Senate orders. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code laws.”