The six-month suspension slammed on the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been described as a form of intimidation.
This description of the ‘disciplinary’ action taken against the Kogi Central lawmaker by the leadership of the Senate was given by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Huwaila Muhammad, the chairperson of the NBA Women Forum said it is clearly obvious that the Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension is a build-up of dispute between the female lawmaker and the Senate President.
Querying the manner in which the allegation and her conduct during the plenary last week was handled, Muhammad said the Senate might not have taken the right decision in the interest of justice.
Also stressing the allegation of sexual harrssment against the Senate President is grave, Muhammad added that the lawmaker did not get a fair heaing.
“To start with I will say on the suspension, we are all lawyers and would like to see fairness across board. We know the allegation is very big and he who asserts must prove so we will want her to prove the allegations and we expect fairness in it.
“I see her suspension as a kind of intimidation; you cannot be a judge in your own court. If something affects you, slide by the side and let justice take its course because we need to see fairness,” Muhammad stated.
Emphasizing that Nigeria is in a democracy, the NBA scribe said citizens would like to see that everyone involved in the matter is provided a level playing ground.
“She is alleging and proving and peradventure she is unable to prove what she has alleged, she knows what would come to her. We are in a democracy, suspension is not the answer.’’
“The question here is: Did the committee call her before suspending her? Did she refuse to come? Did she send a representation? If she was not called then what was the yard stick used in suspending her and if she was called and she refused to go that will be very wrong of her because she was called to prove her innocence and her refusing to honour the invite will be wrong,” she said.
She further warned that lawmakers and people in places of authority should know that many people are interested in the event from the National Assembly and the manner in which this case is handle can either make or mar the image of the country.
“Those who suspended her should know there are people out there watching and we all want justice because as far as we are concerned, the Senate is a sacred place and what is happening right now should not be happening,” Muhammad said.