SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against Nigerian Senate Over Senator Ningi’s Suspension

SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against Nigerian Senate Over Senator Ningi’s Suspension

The Socio-Economic Rights And Accountability Project (SERAP) has declared its intention to take legal action against the Nigerian Senate over what it deems the unlawful suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi……read also SERAP Demands Answers: NNPC Given Seven Days to Account for Missing Billions

Describing the suspended senator as a whistleblower, the rights group made this announcement through a post on its official social media account shortly after the Senate’s pronouncement of Ningi’s suspension.

Emphasizing that budget padding constitutes a crime against Nigerians, SERAP stated, “We’re suing the Senate over the unlawful suspension of whistleblower and Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 months over his allegation that the Senate inserted projects worth N3 trillion in the 2024 budget, contrary to the Nigerian Constitution and international standards.”

Earlier reports had indicated that the Senate suspended the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central in the National Assembly for three months from all legislative duties. This action was taken during Tuesday’s plenary session over allegations of budget padding in the 2024 budget.

The motion for Ningi’s suspension was initially moved by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Appropriation Committee, who accused Ningi of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country at large.

However, amendments to the motion were proposed by other lawmakers, leading to a reduction in the suspension period from twelve months to three months without pay. Following the decision, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arm.