Senate Not Anyone’s Property, Court Saved Democracy by Nullifying Natasha’s Suspension – Lawyer Idam

Human rights lawyer, Maduabuchi Idam, has praised the Abuja Federal High Court for safeguarding Nigeria’s fragile democracy by declaring the suspension of embattled Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as illegal.

Idam stressed that the Nigerian Senate does not belong to any individual and personal grudges should never override national service.

Natasha was suspended by the Senate for six months after she failed to substantiate allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She challenged the suspension in court, and on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the penalty was excessive and unfairly deprived her constituents of representation.

Reacting in a statement, Idam said the verdict helped rescue Nigeria’s threatened democracy.

“The Federal High Court’s judgment declaring Natasha’s suspension illegal and unlawful must be recognized as a heroic act for our beleaguered democracy,” Idam stated.

He likened the court’s intervention to a ‘deus ex machina’ that stepped in to uphold Nigeria’s democratic institutions. “How else would Natasha, an elected senator, have returned under such vengeful and dictatorial leadership if not for this judgment? Would she have had to kneel with her husband and a keg of palm wine before Akpabio to beg for her seat back?”

Idam stressed that the ruling was less about Natasha and more about preserving democracy, describing it as a decisive blow against arbitrary suspensions and abuse of power by National Assembly members or presiding officers.

He criticized Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara for lacking the courage to defend democracy through legal channels, arguing that Fubara instead chose to protect personal interests rather than seek judicial intervention.

Issuing a stern caution, Idam said Natasha must not be treated like the biblical prodigal son who returned home only to find his inheritance in question. “She must resume her seat in the Senate and enjoy all rights and benefits due to her before the illegal suspension,” he said.

“The Nigerian Senate is not a personal estate,” Idam concluded. “Personal vendettas must give way for the service of our nation.”