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Nigeria: Lawyer Criticises Senate, Akpabio Over Decision to Block Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's Resumption
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's six-month suspension ended but the Senate blocks her return citing ongoing court proceedings, leaving Kogi Central without representation for half a legislative session.
- The Nigerian Senate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months in March 2025 following her refusal to comply with the chamber's seating arrangement during plenary on February 20.
- Her suspension arose from a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment, and she launched legal challenges against the suspension starting in early March.
- Despite a July 4 Federal High Court order calling for her reinstatement and the expiration of her suspension, the National Assembly barred her entry, citing a pending appeal and deeming the court order advisory.
- Human rights lawyer Mr. Effiong criticized the Senate's decision as embarrassing and accused Akpabio of pursuing a personal vendetta, stating she has served her punishment and has the legal right to resume.
- The Peoples Democratic Party and SERAP condemned the National Assembly’s refusal to reinstate her as an attack on representation and women’s rights, demanding her immediate return and payment of outstanding salaries.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Uphold constitution, reinstate Natasha without delay - SERAP tells Nigerian Senate
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has urged the Nigerian Senate to immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and allow her to resume legislative duties. This was contained in a statement on Tuesday. SERAP said the Kogi Central lawmaker’s suspension, which started in March, has ended and should not be extended under any pretext. “There is no law in Nigeria that prevents the resumption of her legislative duti…
Reactions trail Senate’s rejection of Natasha’s resumption...
By Saawua Terzungwe, Baba Martins & John Chuks Azu Political pundits, lawyers and analysts have reacted to the Senate’s rejection of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s resumption for her legislative duties after serving out her six months suspension. The Senate said yesterday that Natasha can’t resume plenary on September 23, when the red chamber is slated to resume from its annual recess because the issue of her suspension is still pending in…
Natasha:I Was in Abuja When I Received Letter From Office Of The Clerk, It's Disheartening-Hon. Njai
A prominent voice in African parliamentary circles, Hon. Fatoumatta Njai, has publicly voiced her dismay over the Nigerian Senate’s decision to continue to bar Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from her legislative duties. Njai, a Member of the Pan-African Parliament and former member of the ECOWAS Parliament, described the situation as “quite disheartening” during a recent interview with Arise News. The controversy stems from a letter sent to Sen…
Women’s Coalition Slams Senate Over Natasha’s Continued Exclusion
…Calls It ‘Gendered Injustice, Democratic Assault’ Womanifesto, a coalition of 281 women’s rights organisations and voices from across Nigeria, has condemned what it described as the unconstitutional and gendered exclusion of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Nigerian Senate. In a statement signed by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Convener of Womanifesto, on behalf of the 281 civil... The post Women’s Coalition Slams Senate Over Natasha’s Con…
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