NBA And Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Lawyer Condemn Suspension, Accuse Senate Of Violating Court Order And Denying Due Process

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticized the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as a violation of due process and her fundamental rights.

The NBA and opposition parties condemned the Senate’s decision, arguing that Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied ample time to present her sexual harassment complaint against Senate President Godswill Akpabio before being sanctioned.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal counsel, Victor Giwa, declared the suspension illegal, citing an existing court order that restrained the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking further action on the matter. He maintained that the Senate’s resolution was in direct contempt of the court.

“The suspension is void and cannot take effect. There is a court order stopping the committee from proceeding, yet they went ahead to suspend her. This is a clear case of undermining the judiciary,” Giwa stated.

He further disclosed that Akpoti-Uduaghan would challenge the suspension in court, emphasizing that legal action would be taken against those responsible for violating the judicial directive.

“The case is coming up in two weeks, and we will inform the court that despite being served with the order—including the Senate President—they still acted in violation by suspending her,” he added.

The lawyer also noted that while the matter is currently being handled locally, the international community is observing the situation closely.

“The Senate must adhere to international best practices, which dictate that once a case is in court, no further action should be taken,” Giwa insisted.

The Senate had imposed the six-month suspension on Akpoti-Uduaghan following her confrontation with Akpabio over seating arrangements in the red chamber and her allegations of sexual harassment. However, Giwa argued that her suspension was a deliberate attempt to silence her.

“The Nigerian Constitution supersedes Senate Standing Orders. Section 6, subsection 6 of the Constitution grants every citizen the right to seek redress when their civil rights are violated. Senator Natasha has done exactly that. Her suspension is an attempt to punish her for speaking up against wrongdoing,” he said.

In his contribution, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Tahir Monguno; Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; and Senators Jimoh Ibrahim, Sunday Karimi, Francis Fadahunsi, Mohammed Dandutse, Cyril Fasuyi, and Adams Oshiomhole commended the committee for a job well done.

This is just as they condemned Akpoti-Uduaghan’s disobedience of the Senate Rules, which in their opinion, brought the law-making body into disrepute.

They called for the enforcement of the sanctions, arguing that anything short of that would lay a dangerous precedent for the parliament.

On his part, Senator Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North) sought the protection of the aides of the embattled lawmaker as he called for the amendment of the prayer concerning them.

Kalu said, “We cannot punish the aides of Senator Natasha for an offence they did not commit. They are staff of the National Assembly and they have no other farm or means of livelihood apart from the salaries they earn from the Senate.

“As such, it would be wrong for us as a Senate to deny them and their families their salaries. I move that we should please amend that recommendation and allow them to earn their salaries.”

The Senate agreed with Kalu’s suggestion and saved the Kogi Senator’s aides from losing their salaries for six months.

In a debate featuring lawmakers elected on the platforms of different political parties, the Senate adopted all the recommendations, albeit with an amendment to prayer six, allowing the Kogi lawmaker’s aide to draw their salaries and allowances during the suspension period.

Effort by a former president of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, to stop the red chamber from withdrawing the security aides of the suspended senator failed as the Senate President rejected it.

After the adoption of the report, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan briefly interrupted the proceedings.