Budget Padding: Ningi threatens court action against Senate if suspension is not lifted in 7 days

Suspended Bauchi Central senator, Abdul Ahmed Ningi, has sent a letter through his lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate leadership, demanding immediate lifting of his suspension.

Ningi warned that if his suspension is not lifted within seven days, he will take legal action against the Senate, as he contends that the process leading to his suspension was flawed.

DAILY POST reports that Ningi was suspended by the Senate on March 12 for three months following his claims that the 2024 budget was padded.

In the letter addressed to the Senate leadership, Falana wrote: “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 stated in the letter that the Senate President acted as the accuser, prosecutor and judge in the case, saying his action was in utter violation of the provisions of Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawyer argued that apart from violating Ningi’s fundamental right to a fair hearing, the Senate also violated the right of the people of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate for three months.

He cited previous court rulings that deemed such suspensions illegal and unconstitutional.

“This is a breach of Section 111 of the Constitution and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.

“However, if you fail to accede to our request within seven days upon receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray to the Federal High Court for the reinstatement of our client,” he added.