Natasha: Senate nobody’s property, court saved Nigeria’s democracy – Lawyer Idam
Activist lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam has disclosed that the Abuja Federal High Court saved Nigeria’s “shaky” democracy by declaring the suspension of embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as illegal.
Idam said the Senate is not anybody’s property, hence personal vendetta should make way for service to Nigeria.
The Senate had suspended Natasha for six months following her inability to substantiate her sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Natasha had challenged her six-month suspension before the Abuja High Court, where Justice Binta Nyako delivered the judgment on Friday.
In her judgment, the judge held that the suspension was excessive and deprived the lawmaker’s constituents of their right to representation.
Reacting, Idam said the judgement saved Nigeria’s threatened democracy.
In a statement he signed, Idam said: “The Federal High Court’s Judgment declaring Natasha’s suspension from the 10th Senate as illegal and unlawful has to be framed as the hero of our threatened democracy.
“As a deus ex machina, the court has intervened to save our shaky democracy. Yet again, the Court has proven that the Judiciary is not just the last hope of the common man but the saviour of our institutions.
“How else would Natasha an elected officer have returned to the Senate under this vengeful and dictatorial leadership, if it were not for the judgment?
“May be go bended kneels with her husband and perhaps a keg of palm wine to prostrate before Akpabio and beg for her return, even as her name is not Fubara.
“This judgment has a little to do with Natasha but everything to do with Nigeria’s democracy. It is the end of arbitrary suspension of an elected member of the National Assembly. It is now a defining moment against reckless abuse of power and privileges by either a members of the National Assembly or a presiding officer.
“Sadly, this is the courage Fubara clearly lacked and still lacking. Instead of standing up for Nigeria’s emasculated democracy by approaching the court, he allowed his selfish political desires to betray the opportunity to salvage Nigeria’s democracy, opting to go cap in hand and on bended kneels to negotiate his battered interest.
“The Senate leadership must now be warned by Nigerians that Senator Natasha is not returning as the ecclesiastical prodigal son whose father only conducted a feast to mark his come back but did not assure him of future inheritance, she must retain her position in the senate and as well enjoy all the benefits and privileges accrued to her prior to her illegal removal.
“The Nigerian Senate is no man’s personal property but the institution of Nigeria.
“Personal vendetta should give way for service of the nation.”
Natasha: Senate nobody’s property, court saved Nigeria’s democracy – Lawyer Idam
