Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has strongly criticized the Benue State House of Assembly for suspending 13 legislators who opposed its resolution directing Governor Hyacinth Alia to remove the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
Describing the suspension as a “reckless breach of the Constitution,” Falana accused the Assembly’s leadership of acting beyond its legal authority. He emphasized that multiple court rulings have established the suspension of elected lawmakers as illegal and unconstitutional, as it deprives their constituents of representation.
Citing legal precedents, Falana referenced the cases of:
Hon. Dino Melaye & Ors v. House of Representatives
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege v. The Senate
Senator Ali Ndume v. The Senate
In each of these instances, the Federal High Court ruled that the suspension of lawmakers by their legislative bodies was unlawful and beyond their constitutional powers.
Falana also pointed to the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly v. Hon. Rifkatu Danna (2017) case, where the Court of Appeal upheld the Bauchi State High Court’s decision to overturn the indefinite suspension of Hon. Rifkatu Danna, reinforcing that suspending elected legislators violates their constitutional right to representation.
“The suspension of the 13 Benue legislators cannot be justified under the Constitution. The leadership of the Benue State House of Assembly should recall them without any delay,” Falana stated.
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