A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, contesting the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.
Filed on April 4, 2025, the suit is brought by ten applicants—Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, Isah Mediant, Ogunmola Samuel, Umar Oyiza, Megida Sadiq, Siyaka Akinlade, Michael Ademola, and Ananyi Omeiza—who argue that the suspension violates their fundamental rights to political participation under Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The suit names the Senate President and the Senate as first and second respondents respectively.
The applicants are seeking seven specific legal remedies based on eight grounds.
They contend that the suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, which took effect on March 6, 2025, for alleged misconduct, deprives Kogi Central constituents of representation in the Senate. They describe the suspension as unconstitutional, lacking legal basis, and harmful to the district’s political engagement at the national level.
According to the suit, “The decision of the respondents to suspend the senator representing the applicants’ senatorial district is without justification,” adding that her absence silences the voices of hundreds of thousands of constituents and undermines her contributions to national discourse.
They are also seeking an injunction to stop the Senate from taking any action that could further violate their rights, and an order to reinstate all privileges due to the senator, including access to the National Assembly, office use, participation in debates, and payment of entitlements.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representation, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, emphasized that the suspension contradicts the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and urged the court to nullify the Senate’s action.
A hearing date for the case is yet to be set.
