NewStats: 3,265,530 , 8,187,100 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 03:25 PM 212j6a

SERAP Sues Akpabio For Failing To Lift ‘Unlawful Suspension’ Of Senator Natasha

The Socio-Economic Rights and ability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio over "the failure to reverse the patently unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as the purported suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression."

Mr Akpabio is sued for himself and on behalf of all of the Senate.

The Senate recently suspended Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, after she reportedly 'spoke without permission' and 'refused her new seat in the Senate chamber.'

Her salary and allowances have also been withheld for the duration of the suspension, and she has been barred from identifying herself as a senator.

In the suit numbered 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 Mr Akpabio to rescind the unlawful suspension of Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, reinstate her, and fully restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges."

SERAP is 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."

It is also seeking "a declaration that the application of sections 6(1)(2) of the Senate Rules, the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), to suspend Mrs Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan violates her human rights and deprives her constituents of their right to political participation."

In the suit, SERAP argues that “granting this application would serve the public interest and promote respect for the rights of everyone in the National Assembly."

It said, "No one should ever be punished for 'speaking without permission'. Being a senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights. The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting human rights, not stamping them out.

"Punishing Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan solely for peacefully expressing herself is unlawful, unnecessary and disproportionate. Her suspension would also have a disproportionate chilling effect on the ability of other of the Senate to freely express themselves and exercise their human rights.

"Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan's suspension is based solely on the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression in the Senate. All the other grounds cited by the Senate for her suspension seem to be a pretext to further restrict her fundamental human rights."

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Adelanke Aremo, read in part: "No member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression."

The organisation said the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has “restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her Kogi Central Senatorial District to effectively participate in their own government”.

It said, "The Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, in Principle II (2) provides that 'any restrictions on freedom of expression shall be provided for by law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary and in a democratic society'.

"Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights provides that, 'Every citizen shall have the right to participate freely in the government of his country, either directly or through freely chosen representatives in accordance with the provisions of the law.'

"The right to express one's opinion is of paramount importance, not only because it oils the engine of a representative democracy but also because it creates a free and open environment.

"The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental individual human right which is also a cornerstone of democracy and a means of ensuring the respect for all human rights and freedoms.

"The Human Rights Council, the body charged with monitoring implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights has stressed that any limitations or restrictions to freedom of expression should be applied strictly so that they do 'not put in jeopardy the right itself.'

"Article 19(1) of the Covenant establishes the right to freedom of opinion without interference. Article 19(2) establishes the Senate's obligations to respect and ensure 'the right to freedom of expression,' which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, either orally or in writing.

"The Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) should not and cannot set aside Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan's right to express herself and disseminate her opinions which is clearly guaranteed in section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and under the human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party."

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

SaharaReporters

On this one I disagree with SERAP. Natasha is fighting a self agenda not true representation of people of kogi Central. She lacks the character and capacity to lead people.

Having realized that they goofed shame and pride will not allow them do the needful.

The illegal suspension if sustained will cast doubt as to whether what akpabio is heading is a noble chamber or just a gathering of emilokan coven dictators.

In some reasonable countries, Akpabio should have voluntarily resigned by now,cat least to save our country's name from shame.

But no he won't resign, until thunder go fire am there

It's well

Exceed15:
On this one I disagree with SERAP. Natasha is fighting a self agenda not true representation of people of kogi Central. She lacks the character and capacity to lead people.

And who are you to decide that, are you from kogi central Why is that you guys always defend evil, pathetic!

SensetionalGoal:


And who are you to decide that, are you from kogi central Why is that you guys always defend evil, pathetic!

Even Ebira youth from her constituent have distanced themselves from her unruly character. The evil here is that, she's serial blackmailer and Gold digger. She did it to her present husband.

SensetionalGoal:


And who are you to decide that, are you from kogi central Why is that you guys always defend evil, pathetic!

It is the National Assembly Abuja in question, not the Kogi State Assembly sitted in Lokoja.

favor914:
It is the National Assembly Abuja in question, not the Kogi State Assembly sitted in Lokoja.

WHO dey Bear SENSETIONAL, SENSE FAR from am....
e no PREACH werin e dey PRACTICE

This body should be dismissed, who pays for the uselessness of this group?

writetopoka:
In some reasonable countries, Akpabio should have voluntarily resigned by now,cat least to save our country's name from shame.

But no he won't resign, until thunder go fire am there

It's well

Is Akpabio that suspended Natasha?

In my own opinion Natasha is not wise.

Please , can you give us a reason why he should resigned?

writetopoka:
In some reasonable countries, Akpabio should have voluntarily resigned by now,cat least to save our country's name from shame.

But no he won't resign, until thunder go fire am there

It's well

Exceed15:
On this one I disagree with SERAP. Natasha is fighting a self agenda not true representation of people of kogi Central. She lacks the character and capacity to lead people.

Coming from the tables of the Chief Judge of FCT. The alpha and omega of true representation.

SERAP the Agba suers

It seems they receive a credit alert from donors for every case they bring to the court.

SERAP

I wonder if they still have an idea of the number of court cases they've instituted.

Those dudes can sue the President for not eating

The usual SERAP


they always take advantage of situations like this to catch cruise

Exceed15:
On this one I disagree with SERAP. Natasha is fighting a self agenda not true representation of people of kogi Central. She lacks the character and capacity to lead people.

Stop to talk nonsense if you’ve never attained such greater heights…

This Akpabio has never once sat down to reflect on what forces brought him from obscurity and poverty ridden background to where he is today. He feels himself a god and that it's his skills and ritual sacrifices that have empowered and lifted him. This dog of a man is destined for shame because of his pride, it is inevitable. Paying a whole lot of monkeys online and online to shape and redirect narrative will not help you Akpabio. The one who created this heaven and earth is looking into your matter

Serap, always barking without bitting

writetopoka:
In some reasonable countries, Akpabio should have voluntarily resigned by now,cat least to save our country's name from shame.

But no he won't resign, until thunder go fire am there

It's well

Resign for an unproven allegation?

So if Reno was the SP then and resigned..... but later Natasha deleted her accusations and settled Reno out of court... what would have happened.

Let us always judge without sentiments please

Exceed15:
On this one I disagree with SERAP. Natasha is fighting a self agenda not true representation of people of kogi Central. She lacks the character and capacity to lead people.

are you from kogi

writetopoka:
In some reasonable countries, Akpabio should have voluntarily resigned by now,cat least to save our country's name from shame.

But no he won't resign, until thunder go fire am there

It's well

He should resign based on allegation you can't substantiate or provide evidence for? If he resigns and eventually was found not guilty, can the damage be reversed? Some of you talk just with emotions without putting objectivity into consideration.

Akpabio will end up embarrassing himself.
This is not the first time he is being accused of sexual harassment.
I could the NDDC woman once accused him of same sexual harassment and fraud.
If Akpabio knows what is good for him, he should better remove his hands from Natasha Akpoti matter.
If you listened to the voice vote on the floor of the Senate as regards Natasha's suspension, you will realize that majority of senators voted against it but Akpabio being who he is, said the Yes have it whereas it was the Nay that had it.

Enough of this natasha akpabio news

Akpabio in hot soup

Exceed15:


Even Ebira youth from her constituent have distanced themselves from her unruly character. The evil here is that, she's serial blackmailer and Gold digger. She did it to her present husband.

Abi paid youths

Way to go
How can some arrogant corrupt clowns sit down in the chamber to suspend a senator
Did they vote for her?
Are they more senator than her?
Come to think of it, the uselessly corrupt akpabio shouldn't even be in the Senate if not for the fantastically corrupt court! Let alone suspend a senator that has been voted in and has a certificate of return.

The Senate should punish her within the chambers if at all she's found guilty of an offense and more still after investigation and not the way they are going about it.

Thy don't have any right to stop her from being a senator after being voted in by her constituents

How old are you? For this lady that is chasing her own agenda, and comments on this page where you are wasting precious time. You have Said all this things. We have really lost it.

writetopoka:


It's your useless olosho mother, that was raped and gave birth to you that I blame.
Just imagine this fatherless fool, hiding behind a cheap phone to type piffle, ña glo I blame for free data

Mugus

Akpabio must suffer for tapping Natasha's arze in front of her husband

Was it the the Senate president that placed the suspension or it was the house committee?