Mr. Umeh Kalu (SAN), the legal representative for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has clarified that the decision to suspend Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) was made by the Senate during a plenary session and not by Akpabio himself.
Kalu conveyed this information in a letter addressed to human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) titled, “Re: Request to Lift the Suspension of Sen. Abdul Ningi,” which was released to the press in Abuja on Thursday.
Ningi received a three-month suspension from the Senate on March 12 due to allegations of budget padding in the 2024 Budget.
In the letter, Kalu stated, “We represent Sen. Godswill Akpabio and are writing to you regarding the aforementioned subject matter on his behalf.
“Your letter dated March 27, with the above caption, has been forwarded to us with instructions to respond.
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“After reviewing your analysis of the events leading to your client’s suspension from the Senate, we cannot find justification for attributing sole responsibility to our client for the suspension. Therefore, we assert non est factum on behalf of our client.”
The letter continued, “Furthermore, contrary to the content of your referenced letter, our client never acted as your client’s accuser, prosecutor, and judge.
“Our client’s role during the Senate session that resulted in your client’s suspension was and remains that of a Legislative House Presiding Officer, which includes announcing the majority decision of the Legislative House following debate and voting.
“We note your attempt to draw our client’s attention to legal precedents and court rulings on the constitutionality of suspending members of Legislative Houses, which we find unhelpful due to your failure or refusal to provide the relevant details of these court decisions in your letter.
“You may wish to furnish us with these legal precedents you mentioned, considering that court decisions are influenced by specific facts, circumstances, and laws.
“While it may not be necessary to discuss all available remedies here, in response to your threats of legal action and petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), we emphasize that legislative proceedings are governed by rules.
“We urge you to carefully consider the legal issues raised in this letter and act accordingly in any further actions regarding this matter.”
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