SERAP Demands Reversal Of Natasha Akpoti’s Suspension, Threatens Legal Action
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately revoke the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as unlawful and a violation of her fundamental rights.
The organisation also urged the Senate to revise its procedures to prevent undue restrictions on lawmakers’ freedoms.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after allegedly speaking without permission and refusing to accept a reassigned seat in the upper legislative chamber. During this period, she will not receive her salary and allowances and has been barred from identifying as a senator.
SERAP condemned the suspension, stating that punishing a senator for expressing herself contradicts the principles of democracy and the rule of law. The organisation argued that such actions create a hostile environment in the Senate, discouraging lawmakers from freely voicing their opinions.
The group insisted that the suspension was based entirely on the senator’s peaceful expression and that the reasons cited by the Senate served as a pretext to further limit her rights. SERAP warned that failure to reverse the decision would lead to legal action to uphold democratic principles and protect fundamental freedoms.
The letter read partly, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and the Senate to comply with our requests in the public interest.”
“Any application of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 by the Senate must conform with constitutional and international human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of expression and should not jeopardise the right itself.”
“Suspending Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression has made her opinion in the Senate ineffective.”
“No member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression. A higher degree of tolerance is expected when it is a political speech and an even higher threshold is required when it is directed towards government officials including members of the Senate.”
“The unlawful restriction of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to freedom of expression has indirectly violated Nigerians’ right to receive information and ideas and seriously undermined the right of her constituency to political participation.”
“Given the impracticality of direct participation of all citizens, article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that a citizen shall exercise political power either directly or through freely chosen representatives.”
“The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her Kogi Central Senatorial District to effectively participate in their own government. The suspension therefore constitutes a violation of article 13 provisions.”
“The Senate has the obligations to uphold the rule of law and the provisions of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”
“Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] provides that, ‘(1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.’”
SERAP Demands Reversal Of Natasha Akpoti’s Suspension, Threatens Legal Action is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
