The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her six-month suspension from the National Assembly.
In a statement posted via its official 𝕏 handle on Tuesday, SERAP described the suspension as a “grave violation” of both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights obligations, urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to respect the court’s decision.
“Senate President Godswill Akpabio must immediately obey court order and ensure a smooth return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate today or any other day of her choosing,” the statement read.
Naijaonpoint reports that SERAP further criticised the Senate’s initial action, insisting that the lawmaker’s suspension was unconstitutional and unjustified.
“She should never have been suspended in the first place. Her suspension is a grave violation of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory,” the group stated.
They called on the Senate leadership to not only reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan but also to restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges in full.
It will be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, had on Friday ruled that the Senate’s action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was unconstitutional, excessive, and a breach of her rights as an elected representative.
The court specifically countered Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, stating that both provisions lacked clear limits on the duration of suspension for lawmakers.
Justice Nyako held that since the National Assembly has only 181 sitting days in a legislative year, a six-month suspension effectively barred the Kogi Central lawmaker from discharging her duties for nearly the entire session, thereby disenfranchising her constituents.
“Though the Senate has the power to discipline its members, such punishment must not be so excessive as to deny constituents their right to representation,” the court ruled.
SERAP also urged the Senate to lead by example and demonstrate full compliance with judicial decisions to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The Senate should be setting an example by obeying the court order, upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the country’s legal system,” the group emphasised.