The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the Attorney General to stop the ongoing legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group believes the suspended senator is being targeted for simply speaking out and exercising her rights.
The appeal came shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja refused a government request to issue a bench warrant for the senator. The case involves allegations of defamation reportedly filed on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
SERAP made its request public on Monday through its official X (formerly Twitter) page, stating that Tinubu’s recent Democracy Day speech should reflect a real commitment to human rights. The organization said continuing the case goes against democratic values and appears to punish free expression.
Earlier in court, the government’s lawyer, D.D. Kasue said the senator was aware of the case as the charges had been served through her legal representative. He asked the court to issue a bench warrant due to her absence. However, the judge denied the request, noting that the defendant had just received the court papers that morning.
The case has sparked public attention, especially as many see it as a test of the government’s stance on freedom of speech and accountability.
