Kwara State House of Assembly has suspended Saba Gideon, representing Edu constituency, for three months following allegations of contempt and violation of legislative privilege.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was reached during Thursday’s plenary after the assembly considered claims that the lawmaker secretly recorded a closed-door session and shared the audio with an unauthorised individual.
The matter was raised on the floor, where Gideon was reported to have admitted to making the recording.
The motion for suspension was moved without prior notice by Abdulkadir Magaji, the majority leader, who relied on relevant provisions of the House rules and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.
Magaji said, “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.”
He added that the lawmaker’s action exposed the assembly to reputational risk saying, “Hon. Saba did something that can put this honourable house in jeopardy by sending sensitive information about its activities to the public.”
Several members contributed to the debate, expressing concern over the implications of recording and circulating proceedings held in confidence. The consensus was that such actions undermine the integrity and independence of the legislature.
Announcing the resolution, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu said the unauthorised recording and distribution of the meeting’s audio could bring the institution into disrepute, noting that his conduct amounted to contempt and a breach of privilege.
The assembly directed the suspended lawmaker to submit a written apology within the suspension period, which takes immediate effect.
