BEVERLY HILLS, May 10, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Abuja Thursday voided the suspension of the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress, APC, by the Bukola Saraki led Senate.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in his ruling annulled the 90 legislative days suspension and declared it unconstitutional.
THEWILL recalls that the Senate had suspended Omo-Agege for suing it, but Justice Dimgba condemned the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee for recommending Omo-Agege’s suspension over the law suit saying the Senate lacks the power to penalise its member for going to court.
The judge said while the Senate has the powers to sanction its erring members to protect its integrity, he added that no institution or authority has the powers to strip any citizen of his right of access to the court.
“The suspension of the plaintiff for 90 days is ultra-vires of powers of the 1st defendant (Senate). Any suspension of a member of the Senate which exceeds 14 days, is null and void and unconstitutional,” the judge said.
The judge ordered the Senate to recall the plaintiff immediately and equally pay him any salary or allowances that accrued to him within the period he was illegally suspended.
