Court nullifies suspension of Nigerian senator

By Rafiu Ajakaye

LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - A Nigerian court has nullified the suspension of a senator from the country's parliament, saying the basis for penalizing the lawmaker “violently violates” the constitution.

The court faulted the senate for punishing Ovie Omo-Agege after he filed a suit challenging some decisions of the parliament, asserting that the suspension amounted to intimidation and an affront on the court.

“Access to court is a fundamental right in the constitution which cannot be taken away by force or intimidation from any organ,” said Dimgba Igwe, judge of the high court in the capital city Abuja.

On April 13, the senate slapped a 90-day suspension on Omo-Agege for challenging its proceedings in court.

Omo-Agege angered the parliament leadership after he faulted a legislation that reordered election sequence in Nigeria. Omo-Agege had said the legislation “unfairly" targeted President Muhammadu Buhari.

In the Thursday ruling, the court said the parliament lacks the power to suspend any member for more than 14 days, notwithstanding its powers under the law to discipline erring members.