Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has spoken out against the suspension of Kogi Central lawmaker, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate, calling the move undemocratic and unjust. In a statement released on Thursday, Adeyanju raised significant concerns about the procedural integrity and fairness of the Senate’s actions, asserting that the suspension has serious implications for both Akpoti-Uduaghan and the people she represents.
Adeyanju contended that, regardless of whether the allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan are considered frivolous, the Senate has a fundamental duty to investigate the claims thoroughly. “Even if the allegations made by Natasha are deemed frivolous, the Senate has an obligation to investigate them thoroughly,” Adeyanju emphasized. His comments came after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of inappropriate remarks and sexual harassment, leading to her suspension from the Senate.
The human rights lawyer further argued that the Senate President, who himself faces serious accusations, should be given the opportunity to defend himself in a transparent process. He noted that Akpabio must be allowed to cross-examine Akpoti-Uduaghan before the Senate Ethics Committee. Adeyanju expressed his belief that fairness should prevail in all proceedings, regardless of the high positions involved.
A critical point raised by Adeyanju was the potential conflict of interest in the handling of the investigation. He pointed out that the chairman of the Ethics Committee, who is responsible for overseeing the investigation, had previously defended Akpabio in public. “Akpabio cannot serve as a judge in his own case. For the sake of justice and fairness, he must step aside,” Adeyanju stated, calling into question the integrity of the process.
The human rights advocate also expressed concern over what he viewed as a lack of due process in the case. Both Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio were reportedly not allowed to appear before the committee, raising red flags about the fairness of the investigation. In a scathing comparison, Adeyanju likened the handling of the case to the irregularities often seen in Nigeria’s electoral process, where results are “declared in the dead of night without proper scrutiny.”
In addition to criticizing the suspension itself, Adeyanju urged Akpoti-Uduaghan to challenge the Senate’s decision in court, suggesting that the suspension disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central, who are now left without representation in the Senate. “The Senate has no right to suspend her. The leadership must not wield its power to silence or intimidate elected representatives,” he argued, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic principles and the rights of voters.
Adeyanju’s statement also underscored the broader implications of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension for women and marginalized voices in Nigeria. The lawyer cautioned that the move set a dangerous precedent for those who challenge the status quo and seek to bring about change in the country. “Her suspension sets a dangerous precedent for women and other voices seeking change in Nigeria,” he warned.
Finally, Adeyanju expressed solidarity with Akpoti-Uduaghan, urging her to stand firm in the face of what he described as attempts to “bully and harass” her. He called on the senator to resist such efforts and fight for her right to fair representation in the Senate, asserting that her case was about more than just one individual—it was about the future of democracy in Nigeria.
