Reacting to his forgery trial, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has said democracy, alongside himself, Senate President Bukola Saraki and two others, are all on trial. Ekweremadu pointed out that the National Assembly has been subjected to a ridiculous trial based on personal vendetta of people who swore to protect the law.

Saraki, Ekweremadu and two other principal officers of the Senate were on Monday arraigned before a federal high court for allegedly forging the Standing Rule of the Senate in 2015.

"I presented myself to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court today as an ordinary citizen of this great nation to plead not guilty to charges I did not and could not have committed."

"It is deeply troubling to note that people in high places who swore to uphold the law have dwindled into purveyors of falsehood and rumours who seek to smear and tarnish the reputation of law-abiding and responsible citizens as well as cripple the hallowed institutions of democracy."

"It is all the more disheartening that people who should know better use the colour of their office to pursue private vendetta against people they disagree with. This grotesque display of vindictiveness, arrogance, and mindless targeting of innocent citizens should find no sanctuary in our democracy."

"Using the machinery of justice to create disorder is a dangerous and invidious scheme that ultimately will lead Nigeria down the road to perdition. It is Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu today, who knows whose turn it will be next?"

"Let us make no mistake about this: it is not Senator Ike Ekweremadu or Senator Bukola Saraki or the other accused persons that are on trial; rather the hallowed democratic principles of separation of powers, rule of law, the legislature itself, and indeed democracy are on a ridiculous trial."

"Mere anarchy is unleashed upon the land, but our courage must not fall apart. No condition is permanent and nothing lasts forever. For me, I find great comfort in the immortal words of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who said that history will vindicate the just and the wicked will not go unpunished."