The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Ali Ndume for six months.
Senator Ndume is being accused of bringing Senator Dino Melaye, the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki and the institution of the Senate to an unbearable disrepute.
The decision was taken by the Senate after considering the report of its Committee on Ethics and Privileges which was directed to investigate the matter.
In the report, the committee recommended that Senator Ndume be suspended for 181 sitting days, for bringing unfounded and unverified allegations against the Senate President and Senator Dino Melaye.
But a Federal lawmakers appealed that Senator Ndume be suspended for six months instead.
Ndume who was immediate past Senate Leader had called for the probe of his colleagues after a publication in national dailies reported that “the Senate President, Bukola Saraki bought SUV bullet proof Jeep worth N370 million without paying its Custom duties.”
The motion he raised also called for the investigation of Senator Dino Melaye representing Kogi East Senatorial district who allegedly did not graduate from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria as claimed by an online newspaper.
The plenary presided by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as Saraki had to step down since he was involved for fairness discussed extensively and having weighed options resolved that Ndume be suspended.
However, the committee in its report exonerated the Senate President and Dino Melaye, pointedly concluded that suspension of Ndume was appropriate to serve as deterrent to others.
