Ex-NBA Spokesman Faults Senate Suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Cites “Double Standards”

A former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Douglas Ogbankwa, has criticised the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing the action of the Senate as “double standards” and unconstitutional.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, The Morning Brief, Ogbankwa argued that the Senate acted improperly by suspending the lawmaker while her case was still before the court.

“While she was still in court, the Senate proceeded to pronounce the suspension on her. As far as I’m concerned, that is double standards,” Ogbankwa said on Wednesday.

Suspension and Legal Battle

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended for six months on March 6, 2025, following a heated confrontation in the chamber. She was accused of breaching Senate rules but has since challenged the decision in court, insisting it violated her rights and those of her constituents.

Ogbankwa, however, maintained that the Senate had no constitutional power to suspend her.

“The Senate as an institution has no power to suspend Senator Natasha for six months. A senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not an employee of the Senate but a representative of the people,” he stated.

Constitutional and Judicial Precedents

According to him, the 1999 Constitution mandates that each of the 109 senatorial districts must be represented at all times. He cited a 2017 Court of Appeal ruling that voided the suspension of Kaduna lawmakers, affirming that elected legislators cannot be excluded from parliament by their colleagues.

“The relationship between a member of the legislative house and the legislative house is not that of employer and employee,” Ogbankwa stressed.

On Natasha’s Conduct

Despite defending her constitutional rights, Ogbankwa faulted Akpoti-Uduaghan’s approach during the confrontation, noting that she breached parliamentary procedure.

“She should have first gone to the seat allocated to her by the Senate President and from there addressed him. In any case, the language of the parliament must be used when addressing the leader of the house,” he added.

Ongoing Impasse

The controversy deepened in July when Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to resume duties following a court judgment in her favour, despite an appeal filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She was denied entry to the chambers on July 22, 2025.

With her six-month suspension ending on September 4, the senator formally notified the Senate of her intention to resume. In response, the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, acknowledged receipt of her letter but stated that her matter would be treated pending the outcome of the ongoing court case.