Natasha Heads to Court as NBA, Others Condemn Senate Over Six-Month Suspension

Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to challenge her six-month suspension in court following a heated dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in the red chamber. The suspension, which has sparked widespread criticism from legal experts, opposition parties, and civil rights groups, is seen as a move to silence the senator after she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

Legal experts, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have criticized the Senate for acting in defiance of a court order, while Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Victor Giwa, insists the suspension is unconstitutional and legally void.

Senator Natasha Challenges Suspension in Court

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team has described the Senate’s decision as an outright violation of a court order that restrained the chamber from taking further action against her.

Her counsel, Victor Giwa, stated that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges acted in contempt of court by proceeding with the suspension despite an active legal injunction.

“The suspension is void; it cannot even take effect. The committee ignored a valid court order, making a mockery of the chamber that is supposed to uphold the law,” Giwa said.

The legal team has confirmed that they are preparing to return to court, where they will argue that the Senate’s action is unlawful and politically motivated. According to Giwa, all responsible parties will be held accountable for disobeying the court’s directive.

NBA, Legal Experts Condemn Senate’s Actions

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and several senior legal practitioners have strongly criticized the Senate’s handling of the case, citing a lack of due process.

The Chairperson of the NBA Women Forum, Huwaila Muhammad, questioned the fairness of the disciplinary process.

“She deserved a fair hearing before such a decision was taken. You cannot be a judge in your own case. This is intimidation,” she said.

Similarly, renowned legal scholar Professor Itsey Sagay (SAN) noted that since the matter was already before a court of law, the Senate should have allowed legal proceedings to run their course.

“I feel sympathetic towards her because, in a male-dominated assembly, there is always a tendency toward self-defense rather than objectivity,” he remarked.

Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wale Balogun, emphasized the constitutional right to fair hearing, questioning whether the senator was given adequate opportunity to defend herself.

Senate’s Justification for Suspension Sparks Outrage

The Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee, led by Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), had found Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of violating the chamber’s standing rules. However, her supporters argue that the suspension was politically motivated and aimed at silencing her sexual harassment claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The committee recommended a six-month suspension without salary, the withdrawal of her security details, and the closure of her office. The Senate also barred her from entering the National Assembly complex and from representing Nigeria locally or internationally as a senator.

Despite her suspension, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains defiant. As she was escorted out of the chamber, she declared:

“This injustice against me will not be sustained. I will fight against it.”

The Senate has insisted that the suspension could only be reviewed if Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan submits a written apology to Akpabio after six months, a condition widely criticized as an attempt to coerce submission.

Opposition Parties and Civil Rights Groups React

The suspension has triggered strong political and public reactions, with opposition figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi condemning the Senate’s actions.

Peter Obi, in a statement, decried what he described as an abuse of power.

“Senator Natasha’s suspension is a clear attempt to intimidate and silence those who speak truth to power. It sets a dangerous precedent for democracy,” he warned.

The Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have also denounced the decision, calling it a breach of legislative ethics and an attack on free speech and gender equality.

Meanwhile, human rights organizations have warned that the Senate’s actions could attract international scrutiny, with some groups considering filing a formal complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

What Next? The Battle Moves to the Judiciary

With legal action now imminent, the Senate faces the possibility of a judicial reversal of its decision. Legal analysts argue that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case is strong, given the existence of a court order prohibiting disciplinary actions.

Her lawyer, Victor Giwa, has vowed to escalate the matter in court, stating:

“We will ensure that justice is served. The Constitution grants every citizen the right to seek redress when their civil rights are violated.”

As the legal battle intensifies, all eyes will be on the judiciary to determine whether the Senate overstepped its constitutional bounds or if Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension will stand.

Regardless of the outcome, the controversy surrounding her suspension is a major test for Nigeria’s legislative integrity and could set a crucial legal precedent for the rights of lawmakers in the country.