Legal experts have strongly criticized the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, calling the action unlawful, unconstitutional, and a violation of her basic human rights.
The suspension follows findings by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which deemed the senator guilty of misconduct and failing to respond to the committee’s summons. However, legal professionals argue that the Senate’s decision ignores a valid court order, setting a dangerous precedent for the legislature to exceed its constitutional bounds.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was announced on Thursday, despite a ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja that explicitly prohibited the Senate Ethics Committee from continuing its investigation into alleged misconduct. The court also ordered the Senate to justify its actions within three days.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, condemned the suspension, describing it as an unlawful act by a Senate that should know better. “I do not agree with the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. This was an aberration by a Senate that ought to respect the rule of law,” Edun stated. “Order 67(4) of the Senate Rules clearly stipulates that a senator can only be suspended for a period not exceeding 14 days, and that provision was flagrantly violated.”
Edun also pointed out that the matter was still before the courts, making it sub judice. “The Ethics Committee cannot claim the matter is sub judice and, at the same time, proceed to suspend her on the same or related issue. The Senate’s decision to disregard an interim court order undermines the principle of separation of powers.”
Legal activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju also voiced his disapproval, calling the suspension a direct attack on democratic values. “I am deeply saddened by the illegal suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate. This act is not just a violation of her rights, but an affront to democracy and transparency,” Adeyanju said.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan herself has rejected the suspension, describing it as an unjust decision. “This injustice will not be sustained,” she declared, before her microphone was cut off and she was escorted out of the Senate chamber. The senator has vowed to contest the suspension through legal channels.
