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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the continued refusal of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to reinstate suspended Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite a binding judgment of the Federal High Court ordering her immediate recall.
In a statement issued Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil rights advocacy group described the Senate’s actions as “legislative rascality, crude lawlessness, and an embarrassment to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.”
HURIWA accused the Senate leadership of orchestrating a deliberate violation of the court’s judgment, citing the use of security operatives to prevent Senator Natasha from gaining access to the National Assembly earlier in the day.
“The optics of a female lawmaker, blocked by armed men at the gates of the legislative complex, paints Nigeria as a banana republic.
“This is not just an affront to the judiciary, but an intolerable crime against the constitution,” the group said.
Natasha who arrived at the National Assembly alongside activist, Aisha Yesufu and several supporters, was initially stopped at the gate by security operatives. After a brief altercation, she exited her vehicle and proceeded on foot into the complex, defying the blockade.
Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, had earlier ruled that the six-month suspension handed to the Kogi lawmaker by the Senate was “excessive and disproportionate,” effectively ordering her reinstatement.
The judge declared relevant sections of the Senate Standing Rules and the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act as overreaching and void where they violate constitutional rights.
While the court acknowledged the Senate’s power to discipline its members, it emphasized that such sanctions must not rob constituents of representation.
Justice Nyako held that suspending a senator for 180 days in a legislative calendar of 181 days amounted to silencing an entire senatorial district.
HURIWA criticized the Senate’s interpretation of the ruling, accusing its leadership of intellectual dishonesty.
“Only mischief or ignorance can explain the Senate’s failure to comprehend that an excessive suspension is by implication, invalid,” the group stated.
The group further called on President Bola Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies to immediately withdraw the personnel blocking the Senator from resuming duties.
“It is disgraceful that the Nigeria Police, whose constitutional duty is to enforce the law, are being used to undermine a lawful judgment. The Senate President’s actions risk plunging Nigeria into deeper institutional decay,” HURIWA warned.
The group urged Senator Akpabio to “halt the global embarrassment and obey the court’s ruling without further delay.”