Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as the height of legislative recklessness.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana criticized the Nigerian Senate for violating multiple court rulings that have consistently declared legislative suspensions illegal.

He noted that despite a Federal High Court order restraining the Senate Ethics Committee from proceeding against Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate defied the order and went ahead with the suspension.

Falana demanded an immediate reversal of the suspension, warning that silencing legislators at the discretion of powerful figures in the Senate sets a dangerous precedent.

“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is the height of legislative recklessness. The illegal suspension should be lifted without any further delay,” he stated.

To support his argument, Falana outlined a series of past legal battles where Nigerian courts nullified unlawful legislative suspensions.

Dino Melaye & 10 Others (2010): The Federal High Court ruled the suspension illegal and ordered payment of withheld salaries.

Rifkatu Danna (2012 & 2017): Her suspension by the Bauchi State House of Assembly was overturned by both the State High Court and Court of Appeal.

Abdulmumin Jibrin (2018): Suspended for 180 days for exposing budget padding but later reinstated by the Federal High Court.

Ali Ndume (2017): The court ruled his suspension unlawful and unconstitutional.

Ovie Omo-Agege (2020): His suspension was annulled by the Federal High Court.




https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/falana-describes-natashas-suspension-as-legislative-recklessness/