Celebrations by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, following the withdrawal of the forgery case brought against them by the Federal Government, may be a little too premature, as there are indications that fresh charges would be brought against them, this time, individually.

The Vanguard newspaper quoted a top official of the Ministry of Justice as saying that the case was primarily withdrawn because the Nigeria Police Force was yet to conclude its investigation.

According to the source, thepolice have not even interviewed the defendants who were accused of forging the Senate Rules used in conducting the inauguration of the 8th NASS.

“You can see that under the Criminal Justice Act, the statement of the accused persons and all the witnesses are expected to be filed and it would have been wrong to have pressed ahead with the case when the police are yet to conclude their investigations,” the justice ministry source was quoted as saying.

“The federal government considered it appropriate to withdraw the case and conclude the investigation and attach both the statements by the accused and the witnesses before filing fresh charges against the suspects.

“We want to strengthen our position and present a solid case against the suspects as required under the Criminal Justice Administration Act,” the source added.

When contacted, the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, confirmed that a fresh charge would only be pressed against the suspects when the government was ready.

Asked when the government would be ready, he replied: “I will get back to you on the matter when we are ready.”

The federal Government had on Friday, September 7, withdrew the two-count charges of criminal conspiracy and forgery against Saraki, Ekweremadu and two others, saying that a similar suit was ongoing at a different court of coordinate jurisdiction.