Senate Suspends Ndume For Rising Against Saraki, Melaye

The Senate on Wednesday suspended its former Majority Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, for six months over a petition he filed against Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye who represents Kogi West in the Red Chamber.
The suspension was immediate effect, following the consideration of a report submitted by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. The Senate had on March 21 resolved to investigate the allegation that a bulletproof Range Rover SUV, said to worth N298m that belonged to the Senate President was seized by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The move by the Senate to probe the seizure of the car was based on a point of order raised by the former Majority Leader, who also called on his colleagues to probe the certificate scandal alleged against Melaye.
After consideration of the committee’s report on Wednesday, the Senate approved the suspension of Ndume for “deliberately” engaging on an issue that painted the upper chamber in a bad light.
Apart from clearing Senate President Bukola Saraki of allegation of taking vengeance on the Comptroller General of the NCS, Hameed Ali, the Senate also absolved Melaye of the allegation of forging his degree certificate.
The Senate Committee had recommended 181-legislative days suspension for the former Majority Leader, but the senators reduced it to six months.