A group of residents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has filed a complaint at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate.
The claim, brought on April 4, 2025, by 10 applicants, demands the enforcement of their fundamental rights to political participation under Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The applicants present their case on eight grounds and seek seven specific reliefs for resolution.
The suit’s ten applicants are Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, Isah Mediant, Ogunmola Samuel, Umar Oyiza, Megida Sadiq, Siyaka Akinlade, Michael Ademola, and Ananyi Omeiza.
The Senate President and Senate are mentioned as the first and second respondents, respectively.
In their originating motion, the petitioners stated that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension imposed by the Senate and its President is illegal and violates their right to representation.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for six months due to charges of misconduct.
The applicants argue that the senator’s suspension on March 6, 2025, violates their right to freely participate in governance through their elected representative.
They seek an injunction to prevent the Senate from violating their rights further.
The suspension denies hundreds of thousands of constituents across the district representation and the ability to contribute to national issues.
The applicants stated, “The Kogi Central Senatorial District consists of five local government areas, with hundreds of thousands of constituents. These constituents are now being denied representation in the Senate due to the actions of the respondents suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“The applicants and other constituents have been put in a disadvantageous position by being denied their right to political representation in the Senate.
“The decision of the respondents to suspend the senator representing the applicants’ senatorial district is without justification.
“The 36 states and 776 local governments that make up the federation have also been shortchanged by the respondents’ actions, given the acknowledged robust contributions of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to national issues.”
The applicants opined that they are entitled to the reliefs sought due to the alleged violations.
Among other reliefs, they seek the following declarations: “That, under Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, the applicants are entitled to participate freely in the government of Nigeria, either directly or through freely chosen representatives, by the law.
“That, as members of the Kogi Central Senatorial District, the applicants are entitled to representation in the Senate by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for a four-year term from June 2023 to June 2027.
“That the respondents lack the authority to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate in any manner.
“That the suspension constitutes a violation of the applicants’ rights to participate freely in governance.”
Natasha’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana, urged the court to set aside the suspension.
Citing the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as the legal foundation for their arguments, the applicants also asked the court to restore Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and privileges, including access to the National Assembly Complex and immediate payment of her entitlements, which had been halted following her suspension.
In addition, the applicants are seeking the following orders: “An order setting aside the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“An order directing the respondents, including the Clerk of the National Assembly, to immediately restore all rights and privileges accruing to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, including her right of access to the National Assembly Complex, her right to participate in Senate sittings and debates, and the use of her allotted office space in the National Assembly. This includes payment of her outstanding entitlements.
“An injunction restraining the respondents from engaging in any actions that might further contravene the fundamental rights of the applicants.”
At the time of filing this report, a date for the hearing is yet to be scheduled.
