”Rescind unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti or face legal action” – SERAP tells Akpabio

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Akpabio to rescind the unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha or face the legal consequences.

In a statement dated 8th March 2025 signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “No one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission’. Being a senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights.”

SERAP said the Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, not stamping them out.

According to SERAP, punishing Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan solely for peacefully expressing herself is unlawful, unnecessary, and disproportionate. Her suspension would also have a disproportionate chilling effect on the ability of other members of the Senate to freely express themselves and exercise their human rights.

The letter, read in part, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and the Senate to comply with our requests in the public interest.”

SERAP continued to say that the unlawful restriction of Mrs. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to freedom of expression has indirectly vi0lated Nigerians’ right to receive information and ideas and seriously undermined the right of her constituency to political participation.

Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights provides that a citizen shall exercise political power either directly or through freely chosen representatives.

The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate has restricted and seriously undermined the ability of the residents of her Kogi Central Senatorial District to effectively participate in their government. The suspension therefore constitutes a vi0lation of Article 13 provisions.

“The Senate has the obligations to uphold the rule of law and the provisions of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Which talks about freedom of expression”

In conclusion, the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) should not and cannot set aside Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to express herself and disseminate her opinions which is guaranteed in section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], and under the human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.