Senate Suspends Ndume for Demanding Saraki, Melaye’s Probe

The Nigerian Senate might be heading towards a despotic regime under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki, following the suspension of former Leader of the Senate, Senator Ali Ndume.

Ndume was suspended for six-month today for calling for the probe of Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.

Saraki was accused of importing $298m car with fake documents and seized by the Nigeria Customs Service, while Melaye was alleged of not graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he claimed to have obtained a degree.

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges chaired by Senator Samuel Anyanwu cleared Saraki and Melaye of the allegation after its hearings.

The committee recommended Ndume for one year suspension for failing to conduct proper investigation before making the allegations.

But during the investigative hearing, Ndume told the committee he did not make allegation or raise a petition against the duo of Melaye and Saraki but only raised the issues, having read them in the newspaper.

Last week, Ndume had said the matters had made the Senate subject of public ridicule, thereby calling for probe.

Ndume was, however, suspended for six months (instead of one year originally recommended by the ethics committee) during a resolution to uphold the recommendation of the committee today.