The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to court over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the action as unlawful and a violation of her right to freedom of expression.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently suspended for six months after allegedly speaking without permission and rejecting a new seat in the Senate chamber.
Her salary and allowances were also withheld, and she was barred from identifying herself as a senator.
In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (FHC/ABJ/CS/498/2025), SERAP seeks a mandamus order compelling Akpabio to reverse the suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore her legislative rights.
It also seeks an injunction restraining the Senate from further suspending or taking disciplinary action against her for exercising her fundamental rights.
SERAP argued that punishing the senator for peacefully expressing her views is unconstitutional and could have a chilling effect on free speech in the Senate.
It insists that her suspension undermines her constituents’ right to political participation and violates Nigeria’s constitutional and international human rights obligations.
The group asserted that Senate Standing Orders cannot override fundamental human rights and urged the court to uphold freedom of expression. No date has been fixed for the hearing.