Senator Natasha: Serap files a lawsuit against Akpabio for not reversing the suspension

The socio-economic rights and responsibility project, Serap, has sued the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, not to reverse the evidently illegal suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, saying that the alleged suspension is based on the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

It could be remembered that the Senate recently suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after, according to the reports, he spoke without permission and rejected his new seat in the Senate Chamber.

It is said that his salary and assignments were also retained during the suspension, and he has been forbidden to identify as a senator.

However, in the demand number FHC/ABJ/CS/498/2025, presented last Friday at the Federal Superior Court, Abuja, Serap is looking for an order of mandamus to direct and force Akpabio to terminate the illegal suspensions of Natasha Akpoti-Uuduaghan, restart it and completely register all its legislative, the rights and privileges.

It is also looking for a perpetual court order that restricts the Senate to suspend even more or take any disciplinary action against Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan only for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental human rights.

The Rights Group requires a statement that the application of sections 6 (1) (2) of the Senate rules and the permanent orders of the 2023 Senate (amended) to suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uphuaghan violates their human rights and deprives their constituents of their right to political participation.

The Rights Group, in demand, argued that granting the application would serve to the public interest and promote respect for everyone’s rights in the National Assembly.

In addition, he argued that no one should be punished for speaking without permission, and added that being a senator does not deprive Akpoti-Uduaghan of his fundamental human rights.

He said the Senate should be giving an example by defending the rule of law and promoting and protecting human rights, not eliminating them.

According to Serap, the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan is based solely on the peaceful exercise of its right to freedom of expression in the Senate, emphasizing that all the other reasons cited by the Senate for its suspension seem to be a pretext to further restrict their fundamental human rights.

A date for the demand hearing has not been set.