OPINION: The Oppressive and Unconstitutional Suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges and indeed the Senate acted against the extant rules of the Nigerian Senate regarding protection of the rights of senators under threat and intimidation and rather acted in the shielding of the Senate President in-spite of grievances, allegation of sexual harassment, intimidation and victimization.

In one breadth, it is unconstitutional to suspend a senator more than 14 days for wrongdoing, Rules of Senate Order 67(4), the provisions of the legislative houses ( powers and privileges) Act 2018, a member of any legislative house guilty of contempt of the house cannot be suspended for more than 48 hours. The case of  Ali Ndume vs Senate which was decided by Court of Appeal in 2018 held that a senator cannot be suspended for more than 14 days and the case of Senator Ovie Omo Agege is also supportive of this legal stand.

The 10th senate are not good students of history , sorry to say. In another breadth in this case,  I see no wrongdoing by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by speaking out against her perceived oppression, intimidation, victimization and sexual harassment.

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Whilst pursuing her rights before the Senate by raising Order 10 which was ignored and submitting a written and detailed petition, it is expected the distinguish Senate protect her rights and thoroughly investigate all issues surrounding the grievances before it and come up with a detailed report which will be fully deliberated upon with the senate president recusing himself .

Rather the senate, dismissed her petition bordering on sexual harassment and intimidation claiming sub -judice citing the suit filed by the wife to Senate President, thereby manifestly perpetuating double standard and approbating and reprobating , wrongly assuming jurisdiction by suspending her beyond their powers.

Their actions amounts to legislative rascality in the highest order.

The Senate therefore shot themselves in the foot by suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months and withdrawing all privileges attached to her as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representing the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District and puts the Senate President, HE Senator Godswill Akpabio in the international spotlight and has put the integrity of the 10th senate to question.

I therefore call upon the Senate to forthwith review their suspension of distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to redeem their lost image.

Hon. Misan Ukubeyinje, Esq.
Former member Delta State House of Assembly, Former Commissioner Delta State and Legal Practitioner.