Activist and human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has strongly condemned the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate, describing it as an attack on democracy and an attempt to silence dissenting voices.
In a statement on Thursday, Adeyanju criticised the Senate’s decision, arguing that it violated Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and undermined transparency in governance.
“I am deeply saddened over the illegal suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate. This act is not only a blatant violation of her rights but also an affront to the very foundation of democratic principles and transparency that our nation purports to uphold,” he stated.
Adeyanju also faulted the Senate’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, noting that due process was not followed in addressing the accusations. He insisted that Akpabio should be given the opportunity to respond to the claims against him, just as Akpoti-Uduaghan deserves a fair hearing.
“It is imperative that he be given the opportunity to defend himself as well and to cross-examine Senator Natasha. Sweeping these serious allegations under the carpet only serves to perpetuate a culture of silence,” he said.
He further raised concerns about the impartiality of the Senate’s Ethics Committee, stating that its chairman had openly defended Akpabio before the inquiry, creating a conflict of interest.
“This is a clear conflict of interest; Akpabio cannot serve as a judge in his own matter. For the sake of justice and fairness, he must step aside to allow the Ethics Committee to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation,” Adeyanju argued.
The lawyer also criticised the lack of due process in the investigation, likening it to electoral malpractices where results are declared before the conclusion of election.
Adeyanju urged Senator Akpoti-Iduaghan to challenge her suspension in court, emphasising that women who seek change often face similar struggles in political and institutional spaces. He also warned that the decision to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months would deprive the people of Kogi Central senatorial district of proper representation.
“The Senate has no right to suspend her; the very same democratic process that brought many of its members to power is the same process through which Natasha was elected,” he maintained.
He called on the Senate leadership to respect democratic principles and avoid using its authority to suppress opposition voices.
Adeyanju, who hails from Kogi State, reiterated his commitment to defending human rights and ensuring accountability in governance.
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