The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has applauded the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the politically motivated and vindictive suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said: “It is a welcome, though belated, vindication of democratic norms, the rule of law, and the right to fair representation.”
He further stated that the court’s ruling that the six-month suspension was “excessive” and a violation of the constitutional right of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to be duly represented was a critical blow to the abuse of legislative power.
Nwanguma said: “We commend the judiciary, particularly Justice Binta Nyako, for affirming that the legislature, though autonomous, must not wield power arbitrarily or in a manner that silences dissent or shields the powerful from scrutiny. However, while this ruling is a necessary first step, it cannot be the last.
“The more serious and unresolved matter remains: the sexual harassment allegation brought by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate Committee that denied her fair hearing.”
The human rights activist said that it was only deeply troubling but also constitutionally offensive that a senator alleging sexual misconduct was denied the opportunity to be heard, while the accused continued to preside over the institution responsible for investigating the allegation.
“Such conduct undermines public trust in the Senate and emboldens a culture of silence around sexual abuse within public institutions,” said Nwanguma.
He continued: “We call on the Nigerian judiciary to expedite the hearing of the pending suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over the denial of a fair hearing and the mishandling of her petition on sexual harassment. The court must act swiftly and decisively to send a clear message that no officeholder is above the law, and that allegations of sexual misconduct—especially in the highest legislative chamber—must be treated with the utmost seriousness and transparency.”
He opined that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courage in standing her ground despite persecution was commendable, adding, “Her suspension was a punitive response to her refusal to be silenced. That she is now being fined ₦5 million for a Facebook post while her substantive allegations remain unheard raises further questions about whose interests our institutions are protecting. Nigeria cannot continue to claim to be a democracy while using state institutions to punish whistleblowers and shield political elites from accountability.”
RULAAC there demanded: “The immediate compliance with the court’s order recalling Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Senate, the urgent hearing and resolution of her lawsuit over sexual harassment and denial of fair hearing, afull independent investigation into the conduct of the Senate leadership in this matter and a clear commitment by the Senate to uphold transparency, accountability, and protection of all members from abuse and retaliation.
“Anything less would amount to complicity and a betrayal of the very democratic principles the legislature claims to uphold.
