Human rights lawyer Kunle Edun, SAN, has condemned the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as an unlawful action by the Nigerian Senate that violates constitutional provisions and undermines the rights of her constituents.”
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In a statement released on Monday, Edun strongly disagreed with the suspension, calling it an aberration by a Senate that should know better. He pointed out that Order 67(4) of the Senate Rules only allows for the suspension of a senator for a period not exceeding 14 days, a provision he believes the Senate violated in this case. According to Edun, the action was not only unconstitutional but also breached a fundamental principle of democratic representation.
“The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan represents a denial of the constitutional right of the people of Kogi State, particularly the Senatorial Zone she represents, to be lawfully represented in the Senate,” Edun stated. “This can never be the intention of the drafters of our Constitution.”
Edun highlighted that the suspension, which has left an entire Senatorial Zone without representation in the Senate, violates several precedents established by the courts. According to judicial rulings, a legislator is a direct representative of their constituents, and any suspension of a legislator automatically leads to a denial of the constituents’ right to be heard in Parliament.
The legal expert further addressed the issue of the suspension being “sub judice,” given that the matter is currently before the court. The Senate’s Ethics Committee, he noted, had already admitted that the subject of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition was under judicial consideration but then proceeded to suspend her, despite a court order restraining the Senate from acting on the issue.
“By continuing with the suspension despite the ongoing court case and the court’s injunction, the Senate disregarded a valid court order,” Edun asserted. “It is lawless for any legislature to disobey a court order, whether valid or otherwise.”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan had refused to appear before the Ethics Committee in compliance with the court’s order, but the Senate moved forward with the suspension regardless. Edun labeled this as an example of “sheer legislative rascality,” calling it an unwarranted and unlawful act by the lawmakers.
Edun is now urging the court to set aside the Senate’s purported resolutions, demanding that the rule of law be upheld in this matter. “The court should step in and nullify the suspension, ensuring that the people of Kogi State are not deprived of their rightful representation in the Senate,” he concluded.
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