Senate suspends Ningi over budget padding claims

The Senate has suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for three months his claims that the 2024 budget was padded by his colleagues. 

A member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country by extension.

However, other lawmakers like Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong moved for the amendment of the motion by Ibrahim. Ekpenyong, who is from Cross River South Senatorial District, prayed for the reduction of the suspension.

Ningi had in a recent interview with BBC Hausa alleged that the budget was padded with N3 trillion by his colleagues.