The Senate, not me, suspended Ningi, Akpabio Falana replies

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has exonerated himself of the three-month suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi from the upper legislative chamber.

The representative of Bauchi Central was sacked on March 14 this year, 2024, for accusing the leadership of inflating the 2024 budget in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

But human rights activist Femi Falana, in a letter titled “Request for lifting of suspension of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi” dated March 27, 2024, compelled Akpabio to immediately lift the suspension.

Former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umeh Kalu, responded through his lawyer, exonerating himself from the action. The legal representative wrote: “We have carefully read your analysis of the facts and circumstances that led to the suspension of your client from the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we cannot find any reason in your judgment to hold that our client is solely responsible for the suspension.

“The decision and resolution to suspend Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi was taken by the Senate in plenary session and not by Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.

“Furthermore, and contrary to the content of your referenced letter, our client was at no time your client’s prosecutor, prosecutor or judge.

“Our client’s role in the Senate session that resulted in your client’s suspension was and remains the statutory role of a presiding officer of the Legislative House, which role includes announcing the majority decision of the Legislative House at the conclusion of debate and vote.

“Permit us to mention your attempt to draw our client’s attention to the legal authorities and judgments of our courts on the unconstitutionality of the suspension of members of the legislative chambers. This attempt, we dare say, was not helpful as you failed or refused to provide in your letter the relevant details of the said court decisions.”