Ningi Challenges Senate Suspension, Threatens Legal Action Against Akpabio 

Ningi Challenges Senate Suspension, Threatens Legal Action Against Akpabio 

Senator Ahmed Ningi of Bauchi Central has formally contested his suspension from the Senate, warning of legal repercussions if the decision is not overturned within seven days…..READ ALSO Tinubu Responds To Ningi: “You Misunderstand Budget Arithmetic”

Ningi, represented by his legal counsel Femi Falana (SAN), conveyed his stance to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, questioning the legality of the suspension process.

The Senate imposed a three-month suspension on Ningi on March 12 following his public allegations of a N3.7 trillion inflation in the 2024 budget.

Ningi’s suspension stemmed from his assertion of a discrepancy between the N25 trillion budget approved by the National Assembly and the N28.7 trillion purportedly being implemented by the Presidency, which was deemed detrimental to the Senate’s reputation.

Challenging the validity of his suspension, Ningi and Falana have cited procedural flaws and signaled readiness to escalate the matter to the Federal High Court if necessary.

In a letter addressed to Akpabio, Falana emphasized Ningi’s exercise of freedom of speech during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, positing that the subsequent Senate trial violated his constitutional rights to fair hearing.

Falana criticized Akpabio’s multifaceted role in the trial, accusing him of acting as accuser, prosecutor, and judge, which contravened constitutional provisions.

Furthermore, Falana argued that Ningi’s suspension deprived the people of Bauchi Central Senatorial District of representation in the Senate, thus violating constitutional and human rights.

Pointing to previous judicial rulings, Falana highlighted the illegality and unconstitutionality of legislative suspensions, urging Akpabio to lift Ningi’s suspension promptly.

However, Falana cautioned that failure to comply within seven days would prompt legal action for Ningi’s reinstatement, alongside reporting Akpabio to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for disregarding court judgments.

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