Senior Lawyers Slam Senate for Violating Court Order…
Following her six-month suspension by the Senate, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has vowed to challenge the decision in court, declaring that she “cannot be silenced.”
Her legal counsel, Mr. Victor Giwa, condemned the Senate’s action as an “irresponsible violation of a valid court order” and confirmed that legal steps were underway.
“We are going back to court,” Giwa asserted. “The case is coming up in about two weeks, and we will inform the court that despite being served—including the Senate President—they still acted in violation of the order by suspending the plaintiff.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended after a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the red chamber.
Giwa dismissed the Senate’s decision as illegal, stating, “The suspension is void and cannot take effect. There is a valid court order restraining the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges from taking any further action. Their disobedience mocks the very institution meant to uphold the law.”
He further argued that with a standing court order barring disciplinary action, the Senate’s decision was “null and void.”
NBA, Senior Lawyers Condemn Senate’s Action
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and several senior lawyers have also criticized the Senate for what they see as a disregard for due process. The controversy centers around Akpoti-Uduaghan’s claim that her suspension was an attempt to suppress her complaint of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
NBA Women Forum Chairperson Huwaila Muhammad questioned the fairness of the process, saying: “Natasha deserved a fair hearing before any decision was taken. The allegation is serious, and she must be given the opportunity to prove it. Suspension is not the answer; it looks like intimidation.”
She warned that the Senate’s actions were being closely watched by the public. “The Senate is a sacred place, and what is happening should not be happening,” she added.
Renowned legal scholar Professor Itsey Sagay, SAN, expressed concern that Akpoti-Uduaghan was being unfairly targeted in a male-dominated environment.
“I feel very sympathetic towards her,” Sagay said. “In an assembly full of men, there is always a tendency towards self-defense. Rather than assessing the matter objectively, they closed ranks. She is at a disadvantage in such a circle.”
He advised the senator to focus on her work despite the challenges. “My advice to her is to put this behind her and continue working for the people of Kogi, knowing that they elected her.”
Senior lawyer Chief Awa Kalu, SAN, criticized the Senate for acting hastily, while Mr. Wale Balogun, SAN, stressed that proper procedural steps should have been followed before suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“Legally, this is an internal affair of the legislators,” Balogun said. “However, was she given a fair hearing? The Constitution requires that regardless of internal procedures, a person must be heard before such a decision is made.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Lekan Ojo, SAN, defended Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to speak out, saying her suspension raises serious constitutional concerns.
With the legal battle set to continue, all eyes are now on the courts to determine the validity of the Senate’s action and whether Akpoti-Uduaghan will be reinstated.
