Court Voids Suspension of Kwara Lawmaker Saba Yisa Gideon
A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin has nullified the three-month suspension of a member representing Edu State Constituency, Saba Yisa Gideon, declaring the action of the Kwara State House of Assembly unconstitutional, unlawful, and of no legal effect.
The lawmaker was suspended on December 18, 2025, by the Assembly over allegations that he recorded proceedings of a meeting without consent and shared the recording with unauthorised persons.
Challenging the decision, Gideon approached the court, naming the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, the House of Assembly, and other parties as respondents.
Delivering a judgment that lasted over an hour, Justice Muritala Folorunsho held that the suspension was carried out in breach of due process. The court ruled that suspending the lawmaker through a motion without notice violated his constitutional right to fair hearing as guaranteed under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The judge further held that the action was not supported by the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act or the Rules of the Kwara State House of Assembly 2019. He declared the suspension unconstitutional, null, and void.
Justice Folorunsho set aside the suspension and granted several reliefs in favour of the lawmaker. The court issued an injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from enforcing the suspension or interfering in any way with Gideon’s legislative duties.
The court also barred the Assembly from denying him access to the premises, chambers, office, or committee rooms necessary for the discharge of his responsibilities as an elected representative.
In addition, the judge ordered that all withheld salaries and entitlements be paid to the lawmaker, directing the respondents to settle any outstanding payments accrued during the suspension period.
Justice Folorunsho, however, ruled that each party should bear its own legal costs.
The judgment effectively restores Gideon to full legislative functions and underscores the court’s stance on adherence to constitutional procedures in disciplinary actions within legislative bodies.
#UTVAfrica#
