Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has requested for the reinstatement of the suspended Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District.

Senator Ningi was suspended on March 12, 2024, by the Nigerian Senate for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded with N3 trillion. Falana, who is Ningi’s defense counsel, accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of violating his client’s fundamental right to a fair hearing.

He advised Akpabio to lift Ningi’s suspension or be reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

Falana Accuses Akpabio of Bias

Falana, in a letter to Akpabio dated March 25, 2024, argued that the Senate President presided over Ningi’s trial despite being implicated in the interview.

“At the end of the trial, you pronounced our client guilty and declared. “That the Senate do suspend Senator Abdul Nigin (Bauchi North) for three (3) months and he should forfeit all his entitlements and be disallowed from the precincts of the National Assembly Complex during the period of the suspension. He should also apologize to the Senate in writing, thereafter the Senate can consider his remorse and recall him”, part of his letter read.

“Even though it was alleged that our client indicted you in the interview, you presided over the proceedings of the Senate. It is on record that you were the accuser, the prosecutor, and the Judge in your case in utter violation of the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, ” Falana wrote.

He further argued that this was a violation of Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees the right to fair hearing.

Falana Threatens Legal Action

Falana claimed that the Senate’s suspension of Ningi violated the rights of the people of Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation. He argued that the suspension contradicted Section 111 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Falana threatened to sue the Senate and report Akpabio to the LPDC if Ningi was not reinstated within seven days.

“However, if you fail to accede to our request within seven days of the receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court for the reinstatement of our client,” Falana’s letter stated. “We shall equally report you to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for treating the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disdain.”

Source: Vanguard