ABUJA, Nigeria – A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.
The suit, filed on Friday, April 4, 2025, by ten applicants, seeks the enforcement of their fundamental rights to political participation under Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The applicants, including Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, and others, argue that the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, imposed by the Senate and its President, is unconstitutional and infringes upon their right to representation.
The suspended senator, who was sanctioned on Thursday, March 6, 2025, for alleged misconduct, had been an active and vocal member of the Senate.
Her suspension, according to the applicants, denies the people of Kogi Central representation in the Senate and undermines their participation in governance.
In their originating motion, the applicants claim that the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan violates their rights to engage in national decision-making through their elected representative.
They seek an injunction restraining the Senate from taking further actions that might violate their rights.
The applicants contend that the suspension, which affects hundreds of thousands of constituents across the district, is unjustified and detrimental to national issues.
The legal team representing the senator, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana, has called for the suspension to be set aside.
They have also requested that the court restore Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and privileges, including access to the National Assembly, participation in Senate debates, and payment of her entitlements, which were halted following her suspension.
The applicants seek several reliefs, including a declaration that they are entitled to representation in the Senate by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for her full term and an order restoring all her rights as a senator.
They also request an injunction against further actions that contravene their fundamental rights. A hearing date for the case is yet to be scheduled.
