A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), West Idahosa, has slammed the Senate for suspending Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan despite a court order restraining the legislative body from taking such action.
Speaking on Politics Today monitored by Truth Live News, a programme on Channels Television on Thursday, Idahosa condemned the six-month suspension imposed on the senator for allegedly violating Senate rules.
According to Idahosa, who served as a federal lawmaker representing Ovia South-West/Ovia North-East Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2007, the disregard for court orders under Senate President Godswill Akpabio is troubling.
“The most concerning issue here is the blatant disobedience to a court order. It is completely unacceptable for a law-making institution,” he stated.
Citing Section 4, Sub-Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution, Idahosa argued that the Senate acted unlawfully by suspending the female senator.
“In carrying out its legislative functions, the Senate remains subject to judicial oversight,” he added.
Explaining the Legislative Powers and Privileges Act, Idahosa noted that most court rulings affirm that neither the Senate nor the House of Representatives can suspend a legislator for more than 14 days.
He further asserted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was denied a fair hearing and that her suspension appeared to be premeditated by the Senate.