The Nigerian senate slammed a three-month suspension against Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi Central, on Tuesday for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.
The upper legislative chamber suspended the lawmaker after a motion on privilege was moved by Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun West.
Ningi caused controversy over the weekend when he alleged that “huge damage” had been done to the north and the entire country through the budget
However, before Ningi’s suspension, some Nigerian Senators had been suspended on the floor of the Senate floor for different offences.
Here is a list of senators who have faced suspension from the senate and the reasons why.
Ali Ndume (Borno South) – Six-month suspension
Senator Ndume was suspended by the Senate for triggering investigations into allegations of forgery against the senate president, Bukola Saraki, and Kogi senator, Dino Melaye.
News reports in April 2017 accused Mr. Saraki of importing a Range Rover SUV without paying appropriate import duty, and attempting to clear the vehicle with falsified papers.
Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central ) – Three-month suspension
Omo-Agege, a lawmaker from Delta state, was suspended by the senate in 2018 after he kicked against the election reordering bill.
Although the lawmaker later apologised for his stand, he still went to court to get a restraining order against any move by the senate to suspend him.
His action was said to have angered some of his colleagues, who pushed for his suspension.
Arthur Nzeribe (Imo, Orlu Constituency)- (2002) (Indefinite Suspension)
Senator Nzeribe represented Imo West Senatorial district at the Senate from 1999 to 2003. In October 2002, he was suspended indefinitely for alleged actions inimical to the integrity of the Senate.
The action of the Senate was, however, perceived as a pre-emptive move against Nzeribe, who was the arrowhead of a plan to remove then Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim for allegedly supporting the National Assembly’s plan to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo.
His indefinite suspension was agreed upon during plenary on October 23, 2002, following an announcement by Anyim that Nzeribe had through forgery defrauded the Senate to the tune of N22,082,000 through five payments.
Joseph Waku (Benue) – (2000)
Senator Waku represented Benue North Senatorial district of Benue State at the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003.
He was suspended from the upper chamber in February 2000 for calling for a coup eight months after the military handed over power to a democratically elected government.
Waku had made the call in an interview he granted to TELL magazine, where he had described the then civilian administration led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as “dictatorial,” and called for military take-over to curtail him.
Femi Okurounmu (Ogun Central) suspended in 1999
Senator Okurounmu represented the Ogun Central Senatorial district of Ogun State at the Senate from 1999 to 2003 on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
He was suspended from the upper chamber in 1999 for alleging that senators were planning to impeach President Olusegun Obasanjo. He was, however, recalled after apologising to the Senate.
Isah Mohammed (Niger Central) suspended in October 2004
Senator Isah Mohammed represented Niger Central Senatorial district of Niger State on the platform of the PDP.
He was suspended in October 2004 for two weeks for slapping Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, who represented Ogun West district, outside the lobby of the National Assembly.
Anisulowo was then the chairperson of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government Affairs and it was reported that the dispute may be connected to the disbursement of her committee’s funds.
Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) – Three Months Suspension
On Tuesday, the Godswill Akpabio-led Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi.
Ningi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended during Tuesday’s plenary over allegations of padding of the 2024 budget.
The Bauchi Central Senator also claimed that the 2024 budget passed is N25tn while the one being implemented by the Presidency is N28.7tn.
