Femi Falana, a prominent lawyer and rights activist, has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, calling it a case of legislative recklessness that must be reversed without delay.
In a statement released on Sunday, Falana criticized the Nigerian Senate for ignoring multiple court rulings that have declared legislative suspensions illegal. He pointed out that despite a Federal High Court order restraining the Senate Ethics Committee from taking action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate proceeded with the suspension, violating judicial precedents.
Falana demanded the immediate reversal of the suspension, asserting that in a democracy, legislators should not be silenced by powerful figures within legislative chambers. He emphasized the importance of ending impunity and upholding the rule of law.
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Highlighting past legal victories against unlawful legislative suspensions, Falana cited several cases where Nigerian courts ruled such actions unconstitutional. For instance, he referenced the case of Hon. Dino Melaye & 10 Others in 2010, where the Federal High Court ruled Melaye’s suspension illegal and ordered the payment of withheld salaries and allowances.
He also mentioned the case of Hon. Rifkatu Danna, whose suspension by the Bauchi State House of Assembly was nullified by both the State High Court and the Court of Appeal, reaffirming her constituents’ right to representation.
In his statement, Falana detailed other cases, including that of Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin, who was suspended for 180 days but had his suspension overturned by the Federal High Court. He noted that in 2020, the court declared the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege illegal and unconstitutional.
Falana recounted how the Jigawa State House of Assembly suspended Hon. Sani Iyaku for criticizing the state governor, but the suspension was later declared illegal by the Jigawa State High Court. He also mentioned that in March 2024, the Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi for alleging budget padding, but after legal action, the Senate recalled him and paid his withheld salaries.
Falana concluded that the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents the worst kind of legislative recklessness. He called for the suspension to be lifted immediately, noting that the Senate should have adhered to the rule of law by respecting the Federal High Court’s order.
He stressed that the practice of suspending legislators at the discretion of leaders in federal and state legislative houses must not continue in Nigeria.
