The senator representing Bauchi Central in the Senate, Ahmed Ningi, has written the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, demanding the lifting of his suspension.
Senator Ningi’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), said he would take the Senate to court if the suspension was not lifted within seven days. Falana wrote that the suspension was faulty.
“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,” he said in the letter to the Senate President.
Falana contended that Ningi’s fundamental right to a fair hearing was violated and that the Senate President acted as the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in the case, in violation of the provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
The lawyer also said the Senate violated the right of the people of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate.
Senator Ningi was suspended for three months over his allegation that the 2024 budget was bloated by N3.7 trillion.
The Senator’s claim was made during an interview with BBC Hausa on 9 March. Three days later, he was suspended for three months.
Ningi’s letter was received at the Senate President’s office on Wednesday.
