A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), West Idahosa, has criticized the Senate’s decision to suspend Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite a subsisting court order barring any disciplinary action against her.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program on Thursday, Idahosa expressed dismay over the Senate’s six-month suspension of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, citing a blatant disregard for judicial authority.
“The most damaging issue here is the brazen disobedience of a court order. It is highly untenable for a legislative body to act in such defiance,” Idahosa said.
The legal expert, who represented Ovia South-West/Ovia North-East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007, referenced Section 4, Sub-Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, stressing that the Senate is legally bound to operate within judicial oversight.
“In exercising its legislative functions, the Senate remains subject to judicial authority,” he emphasized.
Citing the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, Idahosa further pointed out that courts generally hold that lawmakers cannot be suspended for more than 14 days. He also argued that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was denied a fair hearing and that her suspension appeared premeditated.
The controversy surrounding the Senate’s decision has sparked widespread criticism, with legal experts questioning the integrity of the legislative process under Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
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