Nigeria’s Attorney General, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) has appeared before the Senate after the upper legislative chamber threatened him with an arrest warrant.
His appearance was necessitated by the alleged forgery of the senate standing order which has indicted senate president Bukola Saraki as well as deputy senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who are currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Mr. Malami explained that the alleged Senate forgery case was filed by the federal government before his appointment as AGF.
The AGF stated that the criminal suit with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/646/ 2015 was filed on July, 23 2015 alongside a report of the concluded investigation by the police.
He said: “I was appointed on the 12th day of November 2015, that is precisely about four months. As at the time I came to office, the report was concluded.
“The case was instituted before the court for the sustenance of the rule of law but not in any way to truncate the democratic process.”
“I wish to state here that I am in support of democracy and I will do anything within the constitution to preserve the democratic processes,” Malami added.
The AGF further stated that if the standing orders did not come through the right procedures, it becomes criminal, which is in breach of section 60 of the Nigerian constitution.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senate David Umaru said the executive was interfering with the legislature, adding that the separation of the powers in a democracy should be respected.