Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the Senate is planning to lift the suspension on Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central), following the lawmaker’s threat of legal action. Ningi was suspended for three months after alleging budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 fiscal year.
The decision to lift the suspension comes after Ningi wrote a letter to Akpabio, expressing his intention to take legal action if his suspension was not lifted within seven days. In the letter, written by his counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), Ningi accused Akpabio of being the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in his case, which he argued violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen upon his return from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, Akpabio stated that the Senate would review the suspension soon. He emphasized that Ningi is a member of the Senate family and expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved amicably.
The suspension of Senator Ningi has been a contentious issue, with some quarters calling for its reversal, citing unfairness. A top member of the National Assembly revealed that the matter was being resolved amicably, indicating a potential reconsideration of the suspension.
The development highlights the delicate balance of power and procedures within the Nigerian Senate, as well as the importance of upholding parliamentary privileges and constitutional provisions in legislative matters.
Daily Trust