New twist as constituents drag Senate to court over Natasha’s suspension

A fresh legal challenge has emerged over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as ten residents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, asserting that their constitutional rights have been violated.

The suit, dated April 4, 2025, argues that the suspension of their elected representative infringes on their right to political participation, as enshrined in Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The plaintiffs—Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, Isah Mediant, Ogunmola Samuel, Umar Oyiza, Megida Sadiq, Siyaka Akinlade, Michael Ademola, and Ananyi Omeiza—have asked the court to determine seven reliefs based on eight legal grounds.

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Listed as respondents in the suit are the Senate President and the Senate itself.

Through their motion, the applicants insist that the March 6 suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan—who was sanctioned for alleged misconduct—is illegal and has left constituents without representation in the National Assembly.

They argue that their rights to engage in governance through their elected lawmaker have been unjustly curtailed and are seeking an injunction to prevent any further infringement.

According to them, the action effectively silences “hundreds of thousands” of people in Kogi Central and deprives them of participation in national affairs. They also assert that the senator has historically played a “robust” role in legislative matters, which is now being unjustly stifled.

In their words, “The Kogi Central Senatorial District consists of five local government areas, with hundreds of thousands of constituents. These constituents are now being denied representation in the Senate due to the actions of the respondents suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“The applicants and other constituents have been put in a disadvantageous position by being denied their right to political representation in the Senate.
“The decision of the respondents to suspend the senator representing the applicants’ senatorial district is without justification.

“The 36 states and 776 local governments that make up the federation have also been shortchanged by the respondents’ actions, given the acknowledged robust contributions of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to national issues.”

They are urging the court to declare the suspension invalid and to affirm that only duly elected officials can represent the people.

Among the declarations sought are: “That, under Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, the applicants are entitled to participate freely in the government of Nigeria, either directly or through freely chosen representatives, by the law.

“That, as members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, the applicants are entitled to representation in the Senate by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for a four-year term from June 2023 to June 2027.

“That the respondents lack the authority to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate in any manner.

“That the suspension constitutes a violation of the applicants’ rights to participate freely in governance.”

Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, the constituents are also requesting an immediate reversal of the suspension. They demand that the senator’s full rights and privileges be reinstated, including access to the National Assembly and resumption of her official duties.

The court is also being asked to grant the following orders: “An order setting aside the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“An order directing the respondents, including the Clerk of the National Assembly, to immediately restore all rights and privileges accruing to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, including her right of access to the National Assembly Complex, her right to participate in Senate sittings and debates, and the use of her allotted office space in the National Assembly. This includes payment of her outstanding entitlements.

“An injunction restraining the respondents from engaging in any actions that might further contravene the fundamental rights of the applicants.”
The court is yet to fix a hearing date for the case.