Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Senate for suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, labelling the action as a blatant abuse of power.
Falana argued that legislative bodies should not have the authority to suspend elected lawmakers at will, warning that such actions undermine democracy. He pointed out that Nigerian courts have consistently ruled against similar suspensions, reinstating affected legislators and declaring such disciplinary actions illegal.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended for six months despite a court order stopping the Senate’s disciplinary proceedings against her. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions ignored the ruling and recommended her suspension, which was later approved.
Falana referenced past legal precedents where courts overturned the suspensions of lawmakers, including Ali Ndume, Ovie Omo-Agege, and Abdulmumin Jibrin. He insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case would likely follow the same path and urged the Senate to reverse its decision.
