By Ayo Kehinde
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately comply with a Federal High Court ruling by directing the recall of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Natasha had been suspended for six months for misconduct and violation of Senate rules. Her suspension includes the withdrawal of her salary, security details, barred access to the National Assembly premises, and identifying herself as a senator.
Justice Binta Nyako, last Friday, voided her suspension and ordered her immediate reinstatement, describing the disciplinary action by the Senate as “excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of her constituents’ rights.”
Justice Nyako declared the six-month suspension “excessive” and declared the provision of Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules, as well as section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, as overreaching
The court had emphasised that the Senate’s disciplinary action lacked constitutional validity and called for a revision of its internal procedures to align with democratic norms and the rights of elected representatives. Justice Nyako noted that legislators must attend at least 161 sitting days per legislative year and emphasised that the six-month suspension denied the people of Kogi Central effective representation.
Earlier, the Senate, through its Committee Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, called for public patience as it awaits the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement. He explained that the Senate requires the CTC to properly review the court’s decision and decide on the appropriate legal steps to take.
However, reacting in a statement posted on its official X account on Tuesday, SERAP urged the Senate to immediately obey the court order, reinstate Natasha and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio must immediately obey the court order and ensure a smooth return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate today or any other day of her choosing. She should never have been suspended in the first place. Her suspension is a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“The Senate leadership must immediately obey court order, reinstate Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.
“The Senate should be setting an example by obeying the court order, upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the country’s legal system”, SERAP said.
