- Bauchi Central Senatorial District constituents file lawsuit to nullify Senator Abdul Ningi’s suspension at Federal High Court
- Constituents represented by counsel seek court order to reinstate Ningi as senator, prevent impeding his access to National Assembly
Constituents of suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (representing Bauchi, PDP) have initiated legal action before a Federal High Court in Abuja, aiming to nullify his suspension.
The application, filed on Wednesday, was brought forth by constituents from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, including Sadiq Abubakar, Abdullahi Jibrin, Adamu Hassan, Shafiu Abdullahi, Magaji Shafihu, William John, Yahaya Saleh, Yusuf Adamu, Adamu Sulaiman, and Habibu Mamuda.
The lawsuit is directed against the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Clerk of the Senate, and the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate.
Represented by their counsel, Reuben Egwuaba, the constituents are seeking an order reinstating Ningi as the senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, along with all associated rights and privileges.
Furthermore, they request an injunction preventing the defendants and their affiliates from impeding Ningi’s access to the National Assembly Complex, his office, and the hallowed chambers. This will ensure his ability to effectively represent the constituents of Bauchi Central Senatorial District.
The constituents seek clarification on whether the lawmakers have the authority to suspend Ningi for 30 days based on his opinion on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service regarding the 2024 Appropriation Act. They also question whether such an expression constituted a breach of Senator Adeola’s or any other senator’s privilege, as alleged in the Senate proceedings.
Their plea to the court includes a request to declare Ningi’s suspension as lacking due process, unlawful, and a violation of his right to a fair hearing.
As of now, no hearing date has been scheduled for the case.