SAN FRANCISCO, November 14, (THEWILL) – The Senate has resolved that former Senate leader, Ali Ndume (APC, Borno-South) should resume sitting on Wednesday November 15, since he has served out his suspension of 90 legislative days.
The decision was reached after a closed-door meeting by the Senate on Tuesday before its plenary.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy President of the Senate, who presided over the plenary, said Ndume had served out his suspension of 90 legislative days, without prejudice to the current court process.
THEWILL recalls that the Senate had, on March 29, suspended Ndume following the recommendation of the ethics and privileges committee of the Senate headed by Samuel Anyanwu.
Ndume had called for investigation into an allegation that Senator Dino Melaye did not obtain first degree at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.
However, at the conclusion of its assignment, the Anyanwu committee accused Ndume of raising a false alarm capable of tarnishing the image of his colleague as the university declared that Melaye graduated from the institution.
THEWILL also recalls that a Federal High Court, last week, nullified the suspension, saying it was illegal and ordered Ndume’s immediate reinstatement and payment of all his entitlements for the period of the suspension.
However, the Senate through its counsel, Mike Ozekhome, said it would appeal the ruling.
Notwithstanding, the Senate, in a letter addressed to Ndume by the Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, was asked to resume in plenary on Wednesday.
“The suspension notice of the Senate vide Resolution S/Res/130/02/17 expires on November 14th, 2017,” the clerk wrote.
“This communication is to inform the Distinguished Senator of your resumption in plenary scheduled for Wednesday, 15th November, 2017.
Ndume has however stated that he has put his travails behind him and is prepared to resume on Wednesday.
“I am reporting on Wednesday as directed and I hope to go back with renewed vigour in representing my people,” he said.
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