The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued an urgent call for Senate President Godswill Akpabio to promptly comply with a recent court order mandating the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the suspension of the Senator representing Kogi Central.
In March, the Port City News reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months on the allegation of misconduct and refusal to comply with the chamber’s sitting arrangement during the plenary session on 20 February.
In a video shared on social media and trending since Sunday Akpoti-Uduaghan announced that she would resume her legislative duties in the Senate today.
She also expressed gratitude to her supporters for standing by her throughout the ordeal.
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However, the Senate stated that it will not take any official action until it receives and reviews the Certified True Copy of the judgment, which was delivered on 4 July.
SERAP, in a statement on Tuesday, posted on its X page, insisted that the Senator should be allowed to resume her duties in the Senate without delay.
The organisation emphasised that her initial suspension constituted a grave breach of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and international human rights treaties ratified by Nigeria.
SERAP underscored the necessity for the Senate leadership to immediately adhere to the judicial directive, fully reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative rights, entitlements, and privileges.
The human rights advocacy group stressed that the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, bears the responsibility of setting a precedent by upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the integrity of the nation’s legal system.
