Falana: Suspension Of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan “Height Of Legislative Recklessness,” Urges Immediate Reinstatement

*Warns Against Abuse Of Power, Calls Suspension Of Legislators “Undermining Democracy”

Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has strongly condemned the recurring illegal suspension of legislators in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Sunday, March 9, 2025, Falana outlined numerous court rulings that have consistently nullified such actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the rule of law.

1. Dino Melaye & 10 Other Legislators (2010)
   Falana recalled that in 2010, his law firm handled the case of Hon. Dino Melaye and 10 other lawmakers who were suspended for accusing the Dimeji Bankole-led House of Representatives of corruption. The Federal High Court ruled the suspension illegal and unconstitutional, ordering the payment of their withheld salaries and allowances.
2. Hon. Rifkatu Danna (2012 & 2017)
   In 2012, Falana’s law firm represented Hon. Rifkatu Danna, the only female member of the 31-member Bauchi State House of Assembly, who was suspended for challenging the relocation of the Tafawa Balewa Local Government headquarters. The Bauchi State High Court declared the suspension illegal and ordered her reinstatement and payment of all withheld entitlements.

In 2017, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s ruling, affirming that her suspension was a violation of the rights of her constituents.

3. Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (2018)
   In 2018, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin was suspended for 180 days by the Yakubu Dogara-led House of Representatives for exposing alleged budget padding. The Federal High Court nullified the suspension and ordered the payment of his withheld salaries and allowances.
4. Senator Ali Ndume (2017)
   The Federal High Court annulled the 2017 suspension of Senator Ali Ndume by the Bukola Saraki-led Senate. The case, filed by his lawyer, Marcel Oru Esq., was decided based on the precedent set in Hon. Rifkatu Danna’s case.
5. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (2020)
   Similarly, the Federal High Court in 2020 declared the suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege illegal and unconstitutional. His case was handled by lawyer Edward Omaga Esq.
6. Hon. Sani Iyaku (2020)
   In 2020, Hon. Sani Iyaku was suspended by the Jigawa State House of Assembly for allegedly criticizing Governor Muhammad Abubakar Badaru. The Jigawa State High Court declared the suspension unlawful and awarded him N3 million in compensation for withheld allowances.
7. Ondo State Lawmakers (2020)
   On November 18, 2020, the Court of Appeal in Akure dismissed an appeal by the Ondo State House of Assembly against a High Court judgment that reinstated three suspended lawmakers. Justice Folayemi Omoleye, who presided over the case, reprimanded the Assembly for filing a frivolous appeal and ordered the lawmakers’ immediate reinstatement.
8. Hon. Iroju Ogundeji (2024)
   On August 13, 2024, the Court of Appeal reinstated Hon. Iroju Ogundeji as Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, reaffirming a lower court’s decision.
9. Kogi and Edo Lawmakers (Recent Years)
   Falana highlighted that within the last five years, courts in Kogi and Edo states have nullified similar illegal suspensions of lawmakers.
10. Senator Abdul Ningi (March 2024)
    Falana noted that in March 2024, the Senate, led by Godswill Akpabio, suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi) for alleging that the 2024 budget was padded. His law firm was preparing to challenge the suspension in court when the Senate recalled Ningi and paid his withheld entitlements after receiving legal correspondence.

Falana described the recent suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as “the height of legislative recklessness.” He argued that the Senate had disregarded a Federal High Court order restraining its Ethics Committee from proceeding with the matter.

“The illegal suspension should be lifted without any further delay,” he declared.

Concluding his statement, Falana warned against the recurring practice of suspending legislators arbitrarily, calling it an abuse of power that undermines democracy.

“The official impunity of suspending legislators at the whims and caprices of leaders of the federal and state legislative houses must not be allowed to continue in Nigeria,” he asserted.

Falana urged legislative houses to respect the rule of law and uphold the constitutional rights of elected representatives to serve their constituents without unlawful interference.

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