The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal proceedings against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, challenging the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the lawsuit contests the six-month suspension, asserting it infringes upon the senator’s fundamental rights and denies her constituents in Kogi Central their representation.
SERAP contends that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stems solely from her peaceful exercise of freedom of expression. The organization argues that such an action not only violates her rights but also undermines democratic principles by depriving her constituents of their elected representative.
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The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Adelanke Aremo’s extract “No member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression.”
“Any application of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 by the Senate must conform with constitutional and international human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of expression and should not jeopardise the right itself.”
“A higher degree of tolerance is expected when it is a political speech and an even higher threshold is required when it is directed towards government officials including members of the Senate.”
“The unlawful restriction of Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s right to freedom of expression has indirectly violated Nigerians’ right to receive information and ideas and seriously undermined the right of her constituency to political participation.”
This legal action is part of a broader pattern of accountability efforts by SERAP targeting Senate President Akpabio. Previously, in April 2024, SERAP filed a lawsuit against Akpabio for allegedly failing to refer a N3.7 trillion budget padding allegation to anti-corruption agencies and for not reinstating Senator Abdul Ningi, who was suspended after whistleblowing on the issue.
Additionally, in September 2024, SERAP sued Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over the National Assembly’s practice of determining its own allowances and running costs, which the organization deems unlawful.
In February 2024, SERAP sought judicial intervention to compel Akpabio and Abbas to disclose and clarify details of the N344.85 billion allocated to the National Assembly in the 2024 Appropriation Act, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in public spending.
These legal actions underscore SERAP’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to democratic principles within Nigeria’s legislative processes.