The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has asked the Nigerian Senate to immediately immediately allow senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, resume legislative duties.
SERAP said this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The organisation said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, which started in March, has ended and should not be extended under any pretext.
“There is no law in Nigeria that prevents the resumption of her legislative duties pending the hearing and determination of the case(s) in court. This travesty of justice must end,” it said.
SERAP accused the senate of using pending court cases as an excuse to bar the senator’s return to her duties.
It warned that such an action undermined the rule of law, stressing that the senator, who had formally notified the Clerk of the National Assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, must be allowed back to the chamber.
The rights group also demanded the immediate payment of all her outstanding salaries and allowances for the duration of the suspension.
