The Action Collective has berated the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, over what it described as his growing despiration in his face off against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The group’s condemnation follows the recent failed attempt to secure a bench warrant against Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Federal Government’s legal team that is acting on behalf of Senator Akpabio.
247nextnews.com recalls that Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had on Monday refused the Federal Government’s request to issue an arrest warrant against the Kogi Central Senator.
The group in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Teddy Onyejuwe, while applauding the presiding judge for refusing what it termed a reckless request, described the legal moves as shameful and politically motivated.
“The desperation displayed by the legal team of the federal government on behalf of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has left many Nigerians wondering what is really the agenda of those behind the suit instituted against Senator Natasha,” the statement read.
While expressing confidence in the judiciary, the Action Collective said it believes the courts will continue to uphold the rule of law and resist being used as a tool for political witch-hunt.
The statement further recalled several instances where efforts were made to destabilize the embattled Senator, including an alleged fraudulent recall attempt and the deployment of state resources to frustrate her engagement with her constituents.
It, however, hailed the Senator’s courage in the face of the sustained intimidation.
“She has remained calm, confident, and resilient. Her priority has been to deliver on the mandate that was graciously given to her by her constituents,” Onyejuwe said,
Meanwhile, the Action Collective has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to protect his administration’s integrity and distance himself from any scheme that could tarnish the justice system.
The group also demanded immediate action against those behind what it called “the desperate and fraudulent act of shame” and warned that silence could be interpreted as complicity in the attempt to pervert justice.
This is even as it called on civil society organizations, the international community and Nigerians to condemn what it described as a despicable act of desperation, warning that only eternal vigilance could prevent the abuse of the judiciary for selfish political ends.
“We must all remain vigilant to see that justice is done to all parties involved in this case,” the statement urged.
