Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has condemned the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate, describing it as an abuse of power and a violation of democratic principles.
In a statement on Monday, Falana criticised the move, warning that lawmakers should not be suspended arbitrarily by legislative leaders. “Suspending legislators at the whims and caprices of leaders of the federal and state legislative houses must not be allowed to continue in Nigeria,” he stated.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which escalated after she accused him of sexual harassment.
While Akpabio denied the allegations, the Senate’s disciplinary committee ignored a court order stopping its proceedings and recommended her suspension for “gross misconduct.” The committee also suggested that the penalty could be reduced if she offered a public apology.
Reacting to the development, Falana noted that courts have consistently ruled against such suspensions, citing multiple legal precedents where suspended lawmakers were reinstated.
He referenced cases involving lawmakers like Dino Melaye, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Senator Ali Ndume, and Ovie Omo-Agege, all of whom successfully challenged their suspensions in court.
Falana emphasised that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension could also be overturned, stating that the courts have repeatedly ruled that elected lawmakers cannot be denied the right to represent their constituents through arbitrary legislative actions.
With legal battles looming, the controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension continues to draw criticism, raising concerns about the Senate’s adherence to due process and democratic norms.