A group of concerned constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Nigerian Senate, challenging the six-month suspension of their elected representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the legal team from Femi Falana & Co, argues that the suspension violates the applicants’ fundamental rights to political participation, as enshrined in Article 13(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

According to the constituents, the Senate’s action has deprived them of representation in the National Assembly, effectively silencing their voices in legislative affairs. They assert that only the electorate has the constitutional authority to determine the tenure of an elected official—not the Senate.

The plaintiffs—Ovavu Iliyasu, Isah Otini, Onivehu Amoto, Isah Mediant, Ogunmola Samuel, Umar Oyiza, Megida Sadiq, Siyaka Akinlade, Michael Ademola, and Ananyi Omeiza—are seeking multiple declarations from the court, including:

• A ruling that the suspension is unlawful and unconstitutional.
• An order compelling the immediate restoration of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s rights and privileges.
• An injunction to prevent the Senate or its agents from taking any further action that could infringe upon their right to representation.

Part of their plea to the court reads:

“An injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their servants, agents, officers or otherwise howsoever from carrying out any acts or omissions which may result in the contravention or likely contravention of the fundamental rights of the applicants.”

As of now, the hearing date for the case is yet to be scheduled.

This development has sparked conversations about democratic accountability, citizen rights, and the limits of legislative authority in Nigeria’s democratic process.