The Kwara State House of Assembly has imposed a three-month suspension on Saba Gideon, the lawmaker representing the Edu state constituency, over alleged contempt of the house and violation of legislative privilege.
The decision followed reports that Gideon secretly recorded a closed-door session of the assembly and subsequently shared the audio with an unauthorised person.
During Thursday’s plenary, the issue was raised on the floor of the house, with Gideon reportedly admitting to the action.
The motion for his suspension was moved without prior notice by Abdulkadir Magaji, the majority leader, who relied on order 4, rule 14 of the house rules on privileges, as well as section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.
“I want to call the attention of this honourable house to an urgent matter in line with order 4, rule 14 of this honourable house on rules and privileges,” Magaji said.
“Hon. Saba did something that can put this honourable house in jeopardy by sending sensitive information about its activities to the public.”
Several lawmakers, including Ganiyu Salaudeen (Omupo), Musa Kareem (Patigi), Owolabi Rasaq (Shaare/Oke-Ode), Abdullahi Danbaba (Kaiama/Kemanji/Wajibe), and Oniboki Yunusa (Afon), participated in the deliberations.
While reading the resolution, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu stated that the unauthorised recording and circulation of the meeting’s audio had the potential to bring the legislative institution into disrepute.
“Hon. Gideon’s conduct amounted to contempt and a breach of privilege,” the speaker said.
The assembly further directed the suspended lawmaker to submit a written apology within the three-month suspension period, with the sanction taking immediate effect.