Natasha: the legal authority rue rue the Senate “illegal suspension, extension”

A law firm, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe Esq, main partner of EE Umahi and Associates, criticized the decision of the Nigerian Senate to extend the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti over the six -six initial months delivered.

In a press release made available to the project on Sunday 10 September 2025 in Abuja, Umahi described the illegal extension and a violation of the constitutional principles of Nigeria and the doctrine of the separation of powers.

According to Umahi, section 66 (5) of the 1999 Constitution clearly limits the duration of the suspension for public officials and Senator Akpoti has already taken the entire six -month period originally imposed.

The continuous suspension without a final judicial sentence, supported, constitutes an abuse of parliamentary authority and denies the senator his fundamental rights.

The legal professional stressed that the Constitution guarantees a fair audition pursuant to section 36 and that the blocker of Senator Akpoti resumes his legislative duties while his appeal is underway under the right trial and is equivalent to a sentence without trial. He declared the indefinite refusal of the Senate to restore it as a performance of the ineffective appeal process and an affront to constitutional governance.

As he asked for the immediate reversal of the suspension extension, Umahi urged the leadership of the Nigerian Senate to respect the role of the judiciary and restore Senator Akpoti in his place.

He warned that the violation in progress threatens the democracy of Nigeria and establishes a precedent dangerous for elected officials.

The declaration of EE Umahi and Associates highlights the growing concerns regarding the adhesion to the constitutional rules within the legislative processes of Nigeria and underlines the importance of supporting justice and democratic rights.