An Ilorin High Court in Kwara State yesterday declared the suspension of Hon. Saba Yisa Gideon, member representing Edu State Constituency, by the Kwara State House of Assembly as illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.
The Assembly had on December 18, 2025, suspended the lawmaker for three months over allegations that he recorded proceedings of a meeting without consent and forwarded the material to unauthorized persons. Dissatisfied, Gideon approached the court to challenge the decision.
Delivering judgment that lasted over an hour, presiding Justice Muritala Folorunsho ruled that the suspension was a breach of the applicant’s rights and not covered by the provisions of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act or the rules of the Kwara State House of Assembly.
Justice Folorunsho declared: “The purported suspension of the applicant from the performance of his legislative duties as elected representative of Edu State Constituency… is unconstitutional, unlawful, illegal and null and void, and of no legal effect.”
He further held that the suspension amounted to an unlawful denial of the constitutional rights of the lawmaker. The court set aside the suspension and granted injunctions restraining the respondents, including the Speaker and the Assembly, from interfering with Gideon’s legislative duties, access to the Assembly premises, or payment of his salaries and entitlements.
The judge directed the respondents to pay all accrued salaries and entitlements due to the lawmaker during the period of suspension. He concluded by ordering that each party bear its respective costs.
By Kayode Abdulazeez, Ilorin
