The Senate has suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegation of N3.7 trillion budgets padding by the senate during an interview with BBC Hausa. During the interview Ningi disclosed that the Northern Senators Forum would take up the matter with Senate President Goodwill Akpabio and President Bola Tinubu, adding that despite the padding, another budget was passed “underground.”
During the plenary sitting today, Senator Adeola Solomon (Ogun West) moved a motion for the senators to debate the allegation, saying it has breached his privilege as a senator who was part of those that passed the appropriation on the floor of the senate to make such allegation.
His motion was seconded by Senator Ned Nwokwo (Edo South).
After examining the allegation by the lawmakers, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South), moved a motion that Ningi should be suspended from the house for accusing his colleagues.
Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South) opined that Ningi be send packing for 6 months.
However, Senator Sani Musa (APC Niger) suggested that Ningi should be suspended for 3 months and should be also made to write an apology letter to the Senate.
After all contributions, Akpabio said, “Senator Ningi is hereby suspended for 3 months and disconnected from all activities of the Senate for the three months.”
Although Ningi denied some of the claims quoted by media houses in the interview during a briefing yesterday, saying he was quoted out of context.
Before Ningi’s suspension, angry senators were engaged in a debate on the allegation which threw the Red Chamber into a rowdy session.
