Kogi Central Constituents Drag Senate to Court Over Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension
Constituents of the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan have taken legal action against the Nigerian Senate over her recent suspension. A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District filed a lawsuit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The suit, filed on April 4, 2025, by 10 applicants representing the senatorial district, seeks the enforcement of their fundamental rights to political participation, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The applicants argue that the Senate’s suspension of their elected representative is unconstitutional and deprives them of their voice in the national assembly.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following allegations of misconduct. However, her constituents contend that this suspension violates their right to be represented and participate freely in governance through their chosen senator.
They are seeking a court injunction to restrain the Senate from further actions that could infringe upon their rights.
The constituents argue that the suspension has disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of people in Kogi Central, hindering their ability to contribute to national decision-making. They further claim that the suspension lacks proper justification and undermines the senator’s significant contributions to legislative debates.
Represented by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, the constituents are asking the court to nullify the suspension and restore all of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and privileges, including access to the National Assembly and the immediate payment of her entitlements.
