Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has condemned the Senate’s suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it an abuse of power. In a statement released on Monday, Falana criticized the arbitrary suspension of lawmakers, warning that such actions should not be allowed to continue in Nigeria.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, the representative of Kogi Central, was suspended for six months on Thursday following a heated exchange with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20. She had protested the reassignment of her seat, alleging an attempt to silence her. On February 28, she also accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
Despite a federal high court ruling on March 5, ordering the Senate committee on ethics to halt its disciplinary hearing, the committee proceeded with its recommendation for suspension.
The Senate later approved the recommendation, citing “gross misconduct” during plenary as the reason for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension. However, the Senate also suggested that the punishment could be reduced if she issued a public apology.
Falana pointed out that previous court rulings have reinstated legislators who were unjustly suspended. He cited legal precedents, including cases involving Dino Melaye in 2010, Rifkatu Danna in 2012, Abdulmumin Jibrin in 2018, and Ovie Omo-Agege in 2020. He emphasized that such suspensions are often illegal and a violation of the right of constituents to be represented.
He further referenced the case of Senator Ali Ndume, whose 2017 suspension was annulled by the Federal High Court, and other instances where suspensions were overturned by various courts across Nigeria.
Falana called for an immediate reversal of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, stressing that the action was unlawful and harmful to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
