Alleged Budget Padding: Senate suspends Ningi

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for three months over his allegation that the Federal Government was operating two budgets.

The suspension followed the amendment of prayers by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim to the motion raised by Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan which took Senators hours to debate.

Ningi granted an interview on Monday last week alleging that the sum of N3.7 trillion could not be traced to projects.

After a heated debate on Tuesday, a prayer was amended through a motion by Senator Ekpeyong Asuquo representing Cross River South Senatorial District saying that he should be suspended for six months.

However, Senator AbdulRahid Mallam Maidori from Jigawa suggested a month’s suspension.

In his remarks, the Senate President sustained the three-month suspension after he put the recommended prayers to a voice vote and Ningi was suspended for six months.