The Nigerian Senate’s latest suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked long-established outrage, with authorized consultants condemning it as unconstitutional and a blatant dismiss for the rule of law.
The resolution to suspend the senator for six months, regardless of a court expose barring any disciplinary action in opposition to her, has raised excessive issues about legislative overreach and the abuse of vitality.
Is it a violation of authorized rights?
The suspension got here only a day after the Federal High Court docket in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, restrained the Senate from proceeding with an investigation in opposition to Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court had directed the Senate to justify its actions within 72 hours, nevertheless as an replacement of complying, the lawmakers went forward to impose a six-month suspension.
This high-tail has been broadly criticized by authorized professionals, who argue that the Senate had no authorized basis to dismiss a standing court expose. Senior Indicate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Edun, strongly condemned the action, bringing up that legislative our bodies quit now not procure the vitality to override constitutional rights.
In accordance with him, even the Senate’s have principles quit now not strengthen the kind of lengthy suspension. “Direct 67(4) of the Senate Guidelines clearly states that a senator can handiest be suspended for a maximum of 14 days. Yet, the Senate went forward to impose a six-month suspension, which is a determined violation of the law. That is an abuse of legislative vitality,” Edun remarked.
He further pointed out that since the topic used to be already in court, the Senate had no correct to proceed with its disciplinary actions, as doing so violates the thought of sub judice, which prevents any institution from interfering in ongoing judicial lawsuits.
Silencing a narrate?
Many political analysts and activists ponder that the suspension used to be now not with reference to self-discipline nevertheless an strive to silence Akpoti-Uduaghan. Her vocal opposition to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she had accused of sexual harassment, has made her a controversial figure in the legislative chamber.
Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju described the Senate’s high-tail as undemocratic and an instantaneous attack on free speech. “That is now not objective an attack on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, nevertheless an attack on democracy itself. The Senate has proven that it is willing to silence dissenting voices as an replacement of upholding justice and fairness,” Adeyanju stated.
He also raised issues over the credibility of the Senate Committee on Ethics, which handled the case, bringing up that the committee chairman had previously defended Akpabio. This, in line with Adeyanju, created a excessive war of hobby.
What ended in the suspension?
The controversy surrounding Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension began on February 20, 2025, in the direction of a heated Senate session. She had protested the reassignment of her seat, a resolution allegedly influenced by Akpabio. The topic used to be then referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics for investigation.
Nonetheless, Akpoti-Uduaghan refused to look sooner than the committee, citing the court expose that had restrained the Senate from probing her. Rather than respecting the court’s resolution, the Senate proceeded with its disciplinary direction of and suspended her for six months.
Adding to the controversy, Akpoti-Uduaghan had currently re-offered her petition in opposition to Akpabio, which had previously been blocked. The timing of her suspension has led many to ponder that it used to be a calculated strive to forestall her from pushing forward with her claims.
A pattern of legislative intimidation?
That is now not the first time a Nigerian senator has confronted suspension below controversial instances. Mature Senator Shehu Sani once revealed that he used to be practically suspended for exposing the allowances got by lawmakers.
Many ponder that the Nigerian Senate has a ancient previous of the expend of suspension as a weapon in opposition to outspoken contributors.
By suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan regardless of a court expose, the Senate has raised elementary questions about its commitment to the rule of law. If lawmakers themselves can ignore judicial rulings, what example does this field for the rest of the country?
What next?
Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to proceed representing her constituents, regardless of the Senate’s resolution. She described her suspension as unlawful and an affront to democracy.
“This unlawful suspension doesn’t rob away my legitimacy as a senator. I used to be elected to wait on the of us of Kogi Central, and I will proceed to quit so, whether the Senate likes it or now not,” she declared.
Appropriate consultants argue that the handiest formulation to field this resolution is thru the courts. If the judiciary principles in her desire, it is a ways going to field a precedent that stops future legislative overreach.
For now, the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan remains one of the most controversial political choices in latest Nigerian ancient previous, sparking debates on the limits of legislative vitality and the need for stronger democratic establishments.
