CSO hails nullification of Senator Natasha’s suspension, says justice must also follow in sexual harassment suit

A civil society organisation, the Rule of Law Accountability and Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has welcomed a High Court judgment nullifying the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from legislative duties for six months.

A statement by RULAAC executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the decision of the Federal High Court to nullify the politically motivated and vindictive suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was a welcome, though belated vindication of democratic norms, the rule of law, and the right to fair representation.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday nullified the suspension of the lawmaker representing Kogi Central. The court, in a judgement by Justice Binta Nyako, described the suspension as “excessive.”

RULAAC, in a statement, said it expects the court to also deliver justice on the sexual harassment case of the senator.

The statement reads: “The decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the politically motivated and vindictive suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a welcome, though belated, vindication of democratic norms, rule of law, and the right to fair representation.

“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 is a critical blow to the abuse of legislative power. 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.

“It is not 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.

“We call on the Nigerian judiciary to expedite the hearing of the pending suit filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over the denial of 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.

“Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courage in standing her ground despite persecution is commendable. Her suspension was clearly 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.

“We therefore demand: