The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, over the failure to reverse the patently unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying the purported suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression.
It could be recalled that the Senate recently suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after she reportedly spoke without permission and refused her new seat in the Senate chamber.
Her salary and allowances are said to have also been withheld for the duration of the suspension, and she has been barred from identifying herself as a senator.
However, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/498/2025, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel Akpabio to rescind the unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, reinstate her, and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.
SERAP is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Senate from further suspending or taking any disciplinary action against Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan solely for the peaceful exercise of her fundamental human rights.
The rights group is demanding a declaration that the application of Sections 6(1)(2) of the Senate Rules and the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) to suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan violates her human rights and deprives her constituents of their right to political participation.
SERAP, in the suit, argued that granting the application would serve the public interest and promote respect for the rights of everyone in the National Assembly.
It further argued that no one should ever be punished for speaking without permission, adding that being a senator does not deprive Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights.
It said that the Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting human rights, not stamping them out.
According to SERAP, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression in the Senate, stressing that all the other grounds cited by the Senate for her suspension seem to be a pretext to further restrict her fundamental human rights.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
