The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, demanding the reversal of the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The suspension, according to SERAP, is a violation of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja (FHC/ABJ/CS/498/2025), SERAP argues that Akpoti-Uduaghan was unlawfully suspended for “speaking without permission” and “refusing her new seat in the Senate chamber.”

As a result, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.

SERAP seeks an order compelling Akpabio to rescind the suspension and reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, restoring all her legislative rights and privileges.

The organization also demands a perpetual injunction to prevent further disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan for peacefully exercising her right to freedom of expression.

“No member of the Senate should suffer any consequences for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression,” said the lawsuit’s legal representatives, Kolawole Oluwadare and Adelanke Aremo.

They emphasized that the suspension violates both constitutional and international human rights norms.

In the filing, SERAP asserts that the suspension is “unlawful, unnecessary and disproportionate” and warns that it could have a chilling effect on other senators’ ability to freely express themselves.

“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and protecting human rights, not stamping them out,” SERAP further stated.

The suit highlights that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension restricts her constituents’ right to political participation, citing violations of both the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

The court has yet to schedule a hearing for the case.