By Naomi Sharang
Abuja, March 6, 2025 (NAN)
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), West Idahosa, has criticized the Senate’s decision to suspend Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite a court order restraining the legislative body from imposing any sanctions on the lawmaker. Idahosa, a former representative of Ovia South-West/Ovia North-East Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2007, called the Senate’s actions a flagrant disregard for judicial authority.
The suspension, which came hours after the court order, has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that the Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is undermining the rule of law. In an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Idahosa expressed concern over the Senate’s defiance of the court’s directive. “The most damaging is the blazing disobedience to court order. It is very untenable for a law-making body,” he stated, emphasizing the gravity of such actions.
Idahosa referenced Section 4, Sub-Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that the conduct of the Senate, in the execution of its legislative duties, must be subject to judicial oversight. “In the conduct of its legislative powers and duties, their conduct shall be subject to the judiciary,” he said, underlining that the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan violated this constitutional provision. Moreover, he cited the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, which suggests that the suspension of a lawmaker by the Senate or the House of Representatives cannot exceed 14 days.
The senior advocate also criticized the manner in which Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was carried out, arguing that the female senator was not afforded a fair hearing. “There was no fairing in line with the provisions of the Constitution, Section 36,” Idahosa said, noting that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been absent during the proceedings that led to her suspension. He further contended that the senators had already predetermined her fate before the committee’s report was rushed through.
“A few days ago, a court order was served on the Senate of Nigeria and the committee in charge of ethics. They got the substituted order to serve on the Senate through the Clerk. This was done. In spite of this, the committee rushed through a report, and the person accused was not even present. There was no fair hearing,” Idahosa asserted. He also stressed that the Senate’s actions were not only illegal but also detrimental to the country’s judicial integrity. “You disobeyed flagrantly a court order and then you turn around to say the judiciary should improve when we are undermining judicial institutions in this country,” he added.
Idahosa suggested that, had he been the judge in this case, he would have taken stronger action against the Senate’s defiance of the court order, calling the situation “untenable.” His remarks came shortly after Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which was handed down by the Senate for a violation of Senate rules.
Back Story of the Conflict
The long-standing tension between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reached a boiling point on Thursday, March 6, 2025, when the Senate imposed the six-month suspension on the Kogi Central senator. This escalation followed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of office against Akpabio after a conflict over seating arrangements on February 20, 2025. Akpabio has vehemently denied the allegations, while Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a defamation suit against him for N100 billion.
In response to the Senate’s disciplinary actions, Akpoti-Uduaghan sought legal recourse by approaching a Federal High Court in Abuja. The court granted an order that temporarily restrained the Senate from proceeding with disciplinary action, with the case adjourned to March 10, 2025. Despite the court’s intervention, the Senate proceeded with the suspension, prompting widespread criticism.
On March 5, 2025, the Senate disciplinary committee dismissed Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sexual harassment and abuse of office petition against Akpabio, citing procedural violations and legal constraints. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan re-submitted the petition the following day, signaling her determination to pursue the matter further.
This ongoing conflict is not the first between the two senators. In July 2024, Akpabio issued an apology to Akpoti-Uduaghan after making a disparaging comment about her at a nightclub, further fueling the tensions between the two lawmakers. The latest developments have intensified the public debate about the Senate’s conduct and its relationship with the judiciary.
