The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Nigerian Senate to immediately allow Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her legislative duties.

The CSO demanded the reinstatement of the Kogi Central lawmaker who was suspended in March after a heated altercation during plenary, in a statement released on Tuesday.

SERAP accused the Senate of using the pending court cases as a pretext to prevent Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming her legislative duties at the National Assembly, adding that it is antithetical to the fundamental notion of the rule of law.

“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,” the statement read in part.

It added that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who had formally notified the Clerk of the National Assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, must be allowed to return to the chamber.

The CSO also demanded that her outstanding salaries and allowances for the duration of the suspension be paid in full.

It described her suspension as a violation of both domestic and international human rights guarantees, including the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“No one should ever be punished for ‘speaking without permission’. Being a senator does not deprive Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan of her fundamental human rights.

“The Senate should be setting an example by upholding the rule of law and promoting and protecting fundamental human rights, not stamping them out,” SERAP added.