The Senate, through its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, on Tuesday, issued a fresh summons on the Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Malami’s invitation is in connection with the forgery case his office instituted against Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and two top management staff of the National Assembly.
The Senate had first summoned Malami last week following a motion moved by Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, who relied on Order 14 and 52, to demand the approval of his colleagues for his two prayers, including the invitation of the AGF and the genuineness of the rule book.
The Senate had approved the two prayers through a voice vote while Ekweremadu, who presided over the session, asked the joint committee to summon Malami within 48 hours and interrogate him on the suit.
The red chamber mandated its panel to, within two days, summon the AGF to explain and justify with evidence the basis for his action.
Malami could not honour the invitation of the senators last week Thursday but sent a letter to the committee, stating the reasons for his absence.
The Senate panel, in its fresh summons, dated June 27, and signed by its Chairman, Senator David Umaru, asked Malami to appear before it on Thursday by noon.
Part of the letter, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday, read,
“I write with reference to your (AGF) correspondence on the above subject matter with Ref. HAGF/NASS/ZOIG/Vol.1/24, dated June 23, 2016, whereby you requested for an adjournment of the meeting of the Committee, which was supposed to hold on Thursday, June 23, 2016, to enable you to prepare your response.
“The committee has considered your request and having regard to the reason adduced, acceded to the request for an adjournment.
“Accordingly, the meeting is now scheduled to hold on Thursday, June 30, 2016, at 12 noon prompt.
“The venue is Senate Meeting Room 31.3, 3rd Floor, New Senate Building, National Assembly Complex. You are, by this letter, invited to appear before the mentioned place above.”
The Senate at plenary, on Tuesday, after a two-hour closed session, summoned Malami, over the then pending arraignment of Saraki and Ekweremadu for allegedly forging the Senate Standing Order 2015, which was used for the Senate election in June 2015.
