SERAP Set to Sue Nigerian Senate Over Unlawful Suspension Of Senator Ningi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has declared its intention to file a lawsuit against the Nigerian Senate for what it has called the illegal suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi. Labeling Ningi as a whistleblower, SERAP shared this announcement through a statement on its official X profile soon after the Senate revealed Ningi’s suspension.
The organization strongly condemned the act of budget padding, labeling it a crime against the citizens of Nigeria.
In their statement on X, SERAP stated, “We are initiating legal action against the Senate for the illegal suspension of whistleblower and Senator Abdul Ningi for a duration of three months. This suspension came after his claims that the Senate had unlawfully included projects worth N3 trillion in the 2024 budget, in violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international norms.”
Previously, Naija News reported that the Senate had placed the representative for Bauchi Central in the National Assembly on a three-month suspension from all parliamentary duties.
Ningi, who is a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), faced suspension during the plenary session on Tuesday following accusations of inflating the 2024 budget.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Senate Appropriation Committee, initially proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, citing allegations of spreading false information and disturbing the peace of the National Assembly and the nation. However, Senators Asuquo Ekpenyong and Musa Dani suggested a modification to Ibrahim’s motion.
Ekpenyong, representing the Cross River South Senatorial District, requested the reduction of the suspension to six months, which Senator Musa supported. Ultimately, the Senate reached a consensus to suspend the lawmaker from Bauchi for three months without compensation, after which he was removed from the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.