Falana issues Akpabio seven-day ultimatum to reinstate Ningi or face lawsuit

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to lift the suspension placed on Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi representing the Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the Senate.

Falana said Ningi’s suspension was illegal and unconstitutional. He also issued a seven-day ultimatum to reinstate the senator.

He said puting Ningi on trial before the Senate on March 14, 2024 over an interview granted to BBC Hausa Service was contrary to the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018.

The lawyer, in a letter written to the Senate President, yesterday, dated March 27, 2024 said suspension of Senator Ningi and the denial of his entitlements were illegal and unconstitutional.

He noted that the Ningi’s interview granted to the BBC Hausa on March 9, 2024, on the 2024 Appropriation Act was an expression of his fundamental right.

Falana said his client expressed his views on the budget in exercise of his fundamental right of freedom of speech guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.