The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has rejected of the suspension of embattled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate, describing it as patently unlawful and latently faulty.
It is SERAP’s contention that the suspension of Senator Natasha tramples on her fundamental human rights, especially the right to freedom of expression guaranteed under section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and a list of international declarations and treaties on human rights to which Nigeria is a signatory.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/498/2025, which SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, shared with pressmen on Sunday, SERAP is praying the court for “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to rescind the unlawful suspension of Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, reinstate her, and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.”
The Senate had earlier suspended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating the Red Chamber’s sitting arrangement rules and for speaking without authorization.
However, SERAP outrightly condemned this move of Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.
Reacting, SERAP said: “Being a senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights. The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting human rights, not stamping them out.”
The human rights group further asks for a perpetual injunction restraining the Senate from taking disciplinary action against Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan just for the sake of exercising her fundamental human rights.
