SERAP demands reversal of Natasha's suspension, threatens legal action
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to immediately overturn the of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.
SERAP condemned the action as “patently unlawful”, arguing it violated her fundamental right to freedom of expression, which should not be denied under any circumstances.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months after being accused of “speaking without permission” and refusing to sit in her newly assigned Senate seat.
As part of the suspension, her salary and allowances were withheld, and she was prohibited from identifying herself as a serving senator in Nigeria.
In a letter dated March 8, 2025, Deputy Director of SERAP Kolawole Oluwadare warned that legal action would follow if the decision wasn’t reversed within 48 hours.
The letter stressed that “no one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission’”, asserting that her senatorial status does not negate her constitutional rights.
A statement titled “Rescind Unlawful Suspension of Natasha Akpoti or Face Legal Action, SERAP Tells Akpabio” was released on Sunday to amplify the warning.
SERAP argued that suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan violated both Section 39 of Nigeria’s Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The group maintained that the Senate’s action was “unlawful and disproportionate”, stating that lawmakers should uphold democratic values rather than suppressing fundamental freedoms.
Oluwadare criticised the Senate for undermining Kogi Central Senatorial District residents’ rights by denying them effective political representation in the National Assembly.
According to SERAP, suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan has “restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her constituency to participate in their own government.”
The group urged the Senate to reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately and revise its standing orders to prevent similar infringements on freedom of expression in the future.
SERAP warned that if corrective action wasn’t taken promptly, it would have no choice but to pursue legal intervention to challenge the unlawful suspension.
The organisation insisted that “The Senate Standing Orders 2023 should not and cannot set aside Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to express herself.”
SERAP emphasised that any restrictions on free speech must adhere to the law, be necessary, and remain proportionate to maintain democratic accountability within governance.
