‘Budget padding’: Ningi says his suspension is illegal, gives Akpabio seven days to revoke it

 Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, has given
Godswill Akpabio, senate president, a seven-day ultimatum to lift his
suspension from the upper legislative chamber.

In a letter dated March 27 and addressed to Akpabio through
Femi Falana, his counsel, the senator said he would approach a federal high
court for his reinstatement if the suspension is not lifted within seven days.

NINGI’S BUDGET
PADDING CLAIM

Early this month, Ningi sparked controversy when he alleged
that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion and that the country is
operating two budgets concurrently.

Subsequently, the senate debated the matter at the
“committee of the whole”.

The senator was thereafter suspended for three months for
allegedly not providing evidence to back his allegations.

Godswill Akpabio, senate president, had said many Nigerians
would no longer trust the upper legislative chamber because of the allegation.

 “Nigerians are
bashing the senate. Many Nigerians will never in future come back to respect
this chamber. The integrity of this chamber has been totally damaged and we
wanted you to repair it with your speech,” Akpabio told Ningi.

‘MY SUSPENSION
ILLEGAL’

In the letter, Ningi said his suspension is
“unconstitutional and illegal”.

The senator’s lawyer said even though Akpabio was indicted
in the budget padding allegation, he presided over the proceedings of the
senate that suspended Ningi.

 “It is on record that
you were the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge in your own case in utter
violation of the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and article 7 of the African Charter on
Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” the letter reads.

“Apart from violating our client’s fundamental right to a
fair hearing, the Senate violated the right of the entire people of the Bauchi
Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate for three months.

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

“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 corruption or
abuse of office.

“Specifically, the court declared the suspension of the
affected legislators illegal and unconstitutional.

“As a senior lawyer, you 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.

 “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 within seven
days of the 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.”