Kwara Assembly suspends lawmaker for secretly recording closed-door session

Fatima Abdullahi
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The Kwara State House of Assembly has placed Saba Gideon, who represents Edu State Constituency, on a three-month suspension over allegations of contempt and violation of legislative privilege.

The decision followed findings that the lawmaker secretly recorded a private session of the assembly and circulated the audio to an unauthorised person. The issue was raised during Thursday’s plenary, where Gideon reportedly admitted to making the recording.

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Leading the motion without prior notice, the House Leader, Abdulkadir Magaji, cited Order 4, Rule 14 of the Assembly’s Standing Orders and 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 contributed to the debate, including Ganiyu Salaudeen, Musa Kareem, Owolabi Rasaq, Abdullahi Danbaba, and Oniboki Yunusa, all of whom condemned the action.

Delivering the resolution of the House, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu said the unauthorised recording and distribution of the meeting’s proceedings was capable of undermining the integrity of the legislature.

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“Hon. Gideon’s conduct amounted to contempt and a breach of privilege,” the speaker said.

The assembly also directed the suspended lawmaker to submit a written apology within the suspension period, which takes immediate effect.

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