Senator Ahmed Ningi representing Bauchi Central has formally requested the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to lift his suspension. Ningi, through his lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), emphasized that failure to lift the suspension within seven days would result in legal action against the Senate.
The Senate suspended Ningi for three months on March 12, following his allegations of a N3.7 trillion padding in the 2024 budget. Ningi had claimed that the budget passed by the National Assembly was N25 trillion, while the Presidency was executing N28.7 trillion.
Ningi's suspension led to his resignation as Chairman of the Northern Senators' Forum, with Abdulaziz Yar'Adua of the All Progressives Congress from Katsina Central taking over. However, Ningi contested the suspension process, stating it violated his rights to freedom of speech and fair hearing.
In response, Falana argued that the Senate President acted beyond his powers by being the accuser, prosecutor, and judge in Ningi's case. Falana warned that if the suspension is not lifted within seven days, they will seek legal redress in the Federal High Court and report Akpabio to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
