Disquiet as Senate breaches Order 67(4), legislative rule Section 21(2) on suspension of Natasha

There is rising disquiet in the polity that the Nigerian Senate may have breached Order 67(4) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, and Section 21(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, on the six months suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The Court turned down Senate suspension of Omo-Agege in the 8th Senate

National Daily Newspaper gathered that the rules stipulate maximum suspension period of 14 days and minimum period of 1 legislative day “for the suspension of a member.”

Citing the case of Omo Agege vs. Nigerian Senate, & ors. (2018), some have recalled that Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja, ijn a judgement, declared that the 90 Days Suspension of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and stoppage of salaries by the Senate led by the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, was “in gross violation of Order 67(4) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, and Section 21(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which prescribe an upper limit of 14 and 1 legislative days, respectively, for the suspension of an errant member.”

Ali Ndume challenged his suspension by the Senate in court and won

Referencing the judgement, some have argued that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan “can only be suspended for 24 hours or maximum of 14 days, not 6 months, according to Senate Rules.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan @NatashaAkpoti has, therefore, been advised to explore legal precedents in the cases of Senators Ovie Omo-Agege, Mohammed Ali Ndume, and Abdul Ningi, respectively, where the court ruled that the @NGRSenate does not have the constitutional powers to suspend a Senator beyond 24 hours or a maximum of 14 days, and approach the court.

Natasha has unequivocally declared: “this injustice cannot be sustained.”