*Senator’s suspension a huge joke – Falana
The Senate Wednesday suspended its former Leader, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) for six months over his motion that led to probe of Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.
The suspension was sequel to the consideration of the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions that investigated the point of order raised by Senator Ndume.
Ndume who was removed as the Senate Leader in January, raised a point of order last week on issues affecting the persons of Saraki and Melaye.
Our correspondent reports that the suspension which took effect from yesterday will last till September 28th, this year.
Before the commencement of the consideration of report, Saraki stepped aside and his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu took over the session.
The committee chaired by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo) recommended that Ndume be suspended for 181 legislative days, equivalent to one year for bringing Senator Melaye and the institution of the Senate to disrepute.
The committee said Ndume: “Having failed to cross-check facts before presentation at the plenary, he could not be seen to be a patriotic representative of the Senate, and should be penalized to serve as deterrent to others.
“Senator Saraki and Melaye are hereby cleared of these allegations levelled against them.”
In his remark, Ekweremadu said the suspension would serve as a deterrent to others saying “Going further, we should do our investigation before drawing the Senate to issues.”
When contacted, Ndume declined comment on his suspension.
However, Human Rights Lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has said the suspension of Senator Ali Ndume for six months is a huge joke citing rulings of Court of Appeal and a Federal High Court over Hon. Dino Melaye and House of Representatives and others which, according to the senior advocate, state that a legislator cannot be suspended for more than one day and beyond beyond 14 days, respectively.
Falana described the Ndume’s suspension as height of serial illegality in the Senate of Nigeria, currently.
