Senator Ahmed Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, has escalated his battle against his suspension from the Senate by demanding its immediate reversal from Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a letter written by his legal counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), Ningi issued a seven-day ultimatum for the lifting of his suspension, warning of legal action if his demand is not met, as reported by The Punch.
Ningi’s suspension came on the heels of his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.
Despite his defense of the claim during Senate proceedings, he was handed a three-month suspension for purportedly tarnishing the Senate’s reputation.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the suspension process, Falana highlighted alleged violations of Ningi’s constitutional rights to freedom of speech and fair hearing.
He argued against Akpabio’s role as both accuser and judge, maintaining that the suspension breached constitutional provisions and deprived Bauchi Central of representation in the Senate.
“On March 9, 2024, our client granted an interview to the BBC Hausa Service on the 2024 Appropriation Act. He expressed his views on the budget of the Federal Government in the exercise of his fundamental right to freedom of speech guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“Dissatisfied with the interview, you caused our client to be put on trial before the Senate on March 14, 2024 contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018,” Falana wrote.
Citing legal precedents, the legal luminary warned of impending legal recourse if the suspension is not revoked within seven days.
He further threatened to report Akpabio’s conduct to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for disregarding court judgments.
“This is a breach of Section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act,” the SAN said.
“As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court had struck down the suspension of some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who had accused the leadership of both houses of budget padding, corruption or abuse of office.
“Specifically, the court declared the suspension of the affected legislators illegal and unconstitutional.
“As a senior lawyer, you (Akpabio) ought to have drawn the attention of the members of the Senate to these decisions and several others where the high courts of some states and the Court of Appeal have held that no parliament in Nigeria has the power to suspend or expel a legislator and confiscate his salaries and allowances.
“In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that the suspension of Senator Ningi and the denial of his entitlements are illegal and unconstitutional in every material particular.
“We are compelled to request you to ensure that the said suspension is lifted forthwith.
“However, if you fail to accede to our request seven days upon receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court for the reinstatement of our client. We shall equally report you to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for treating the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disdain.”
