A Psychologist’s Painful Reflection: Mrs. Falana and NBA President Afam Osigwe Must Strike Back—Nigeria Must Not Become a Kangaroo Legislative System -By John Egbeazien Oshodi

Nigeria is not a banana republic. It is not a place where lawmakers can bend the rules at will, act without consequence, and treat the Constitution as a mere suggestion. Yet, what we are witnessing in the Senate is nothing short of a disgraceful abuse of power. Mrs. Funmi Falana, SAN, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, are now making it clear that this lawlessness will not stand. The reckless suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not just a political maneuver—it is an outright assault on democracy, an insult to the judiciary, and a blatant display of impunity by those who believe they can do as they please without repercussions. The Senate has chosen intimidation over integrity, suppression over justice, and raw political vengeance over the rule of law. But they must be reminded: Nigeria is not governed by the whims of a few power-hungry lawmakers. The courts have ruled time and again that suspending elected lawmakers is unconstitutional, yet the Senate, led by legal professionals who should know better, has chosen to defy these rulings as though they are above the law. The Nigerian Bar Association must act decisively, not just with words but with legal action—there must be consequences for this abuse of power. This is a test of whether Nigeria will continue to function as a democracy or slide further into lawlessness. Natasha must not apologize, because to do so would validate this injustice. The global media is watching, human rights organizations are taking note, and history will not be kind to those who think they can subvert justice without consequence. Nigeria does not run on a kangaroo legislative system, and if anyone thinks they can get away with this, they are about to face a serious reality check. The rule of law must prevail.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and Senate President Godswill Akpabio—two trained lawyers who should know better—are at the center of this embarrassing display of legislative recklessness. They understand the law, they know the Constitution, they have built careers on legal interpretation and governance, yet they have chosen raw political power over principle, intimidation over fairness, and suppression over accountability. The Senate is supposed to uphold democracy, not operate as an extension of a political cartel that silences women who refuse to bow.

The unlawful suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is not just about one person. It is about the very fabric of democracy in Nigeria. A Senate that silences dissent, ignores court rulings, and weaponizes its internal processes to punish a woman for challenging power is one that is running on nothing more than brute force and political thuggery. It is not democracy. It is not leadership. It is a full display of fear—fear of a woman who refuses to be intimidated, fear of what an investigation might reveal, fear of losing control.

And that is why they rushed everything to get rid of her. There was no time for debate, no time for discussion, no time to even pretend this was a fair process. They needed her gone, and they needed it fast. Some senators have now even complained to the media—but they refuse to give their names. Why? Because they know what happens when you step out of line in this Senate. They know that these powers love to SUSPEND anyone who challenges them. The message is clear—speak against them, and you will be silenced next.

Even as Nigeria struggles to efficiently practice the American-adopted democratic system, it is still not a rule-of-man country. It is not a nation where leaders can create laws for their benefit, override court rulings, and expect to be worshipped for it. It is not a kangaroo system where the law only applies to the weak while the powerful do as they please. The fact that the Senate President and Senate Leader, both lawyers, have participated in this mess shows that the NBA must deal with these men swiftly, making examples of them before their lawlessness becomes the new standard.

This writer, a psychologist, writes not to pick sides, not for Natasha, not against anyone, but to help our struggling democracy. This is not about one woman versus the system. This is bigger than that. This is about how power is being abused, how the law is being disregarded, how women in leadership are being silenced, and how Nigeria’s democracy is being damaged for the world to see. This is more than tears, outrage, or political maneuvering. This is about the survival of fair governance. I have no relationship with anyone here. This is about one simple truth—we cannot continue like this.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, these men are not unknown to you. You know them—105 male senators, only three women, and now one of them has been suspended simply for daring to speak. These men push agendas for you, pass your bills, and fiercely defend your government. But at what cost? So what if they serve your political interests? At what point does governance become more than self-preservation? We know you share the same ruling party with some of them, but step back for a moment and consider the bigger picture.

Look at what this reckless abuse of power is doing to Nigeria’s global image. What does it say about your administration when a woman in leadership is silenced while the accused remains untouched? How do you stand before world leaders, foreign investors, and international organizations and insist that Nigeria is a democracy when its lawmakers treat justice like an inconvenience? What message does it send when your Senate violates court orders, crushes dissent, and punishes those who refuse to bow?

Leadership is not just about passing bills—it is about protecting the integrity of the system that passes them. And right now, that system is on trial before the world.

What do you tell the world when women in your government are treated like this?

What do you tell investors when the people meant to uphold democracy behave like political enforcers?

How do you stand before world leaders and say Nigeria is serious about progress when your own Senate silences women, ignores court orders, and operates by brute force?

And let’s not forget the dangers of setting this precedent. If the Senate can suspend an elected representative simply because she refused to be bullied, refused to apologize, refused to bow to intimidation, then what stops them from doing it again? What happens the next time a senator speaks up against corruption? What happens when another lawmaker challenges the system? Will they be erased, silenced, exiled from the chamber just like Natasha? This is why Nigeria is now at a dangerous crossroads.

Mrs. Falana did not mince words. She called the suspension what it is—a disgraceful display of power, an unconstitutional abuse, and a violation of fundamental rights. The law is clear. The courts have ruled time and time again that the Senate has no right to suspend any elected member. The Federal High Court had already restrained the Senate from proceeding with disciplinary action against Natasha. But even if the court order or the judge was seen as unnecessary, Bamidele and Akpabio still disobeyed a court order because, in their minds, they are gods.

They did what they wanted, when they wanted, because they believe that rules do not apply to them. It wasn’t about legality. It wasn’t about procedure. It was about raw power and the desire to show that they can remove anyone who dares to challenge them. This is not leadership. This is arrogance in its most dangerous form.

Now, the Nigerian Bar Association is being put on notice. The NBA President must deal with these men swiftly and remind them that the legal profession does not serve political thugs in high places. If the NBA does not act now, then Nigeria is being openly declared a lawless nation where even lawyers in power do not respect the system that put them there.

Civil rights lawyers must sue them, drag them through the courts, and show that no one—not even the Senate President and Senate Leader—can make a mockery of democracy and get away with it. If the Senate is allowed to bulldoze its way through judicial rulings, then what is left of Nigeria’s legal system? If those who make the laws do not respect the law, how can they expect the citizens to follow them?

The world is watching, and Nigeria’s legal system is now being put to the test. Will the law stand, or will impunity reign? Will the NBA and the judiciary assert their independence, or will they allow the Senate to behave like a gang of political enforcers?

Mrs. Falana has made it clear—this suspension must be reversed immediately. If not, Bamidele and Akpabio, two men who should know better, will face the consequences. The world is watching. Conclusion: The Rule of Law Must Prevail

Nigeria is still a nation of laws. No matter how much certain men in power try to manipulate the system, they are not above the law. The Constitution still exists. The courts still have authority. And justice must still mean something. This is why Natasha must not apologize. She must not bow to intimidation. She must not validate this injustice with silence. This is no longer just a Senate issue. The global media is now involved. This case has left the chambers of the National Assembly and is now being scrutinized on the world stage. Every move made here will define how Nigeria is seen globally. This is no longer a domestic political dispute—it is now a test of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy. NBA, take a stand. This is not the time for legal diplomacy. This is the time for decisive action. The Nigerian Bar Association must defend the integrity of the legal system. If Senate leaders can brazenly violate court orders without consequences, then the NBA’s silence would be an endorsement of this lawlessness. This is bigger than Natasha. This is about whether Nigeria remains a country governed by laws or one controlled by unchecked power. I am crying. Not just for Natasha, but for Nigeria. Because if the law can be ignored this easily, then what does it mean for the future of justice, governance, and democracy? If a senator can be erased with a suspension that violates every principle of natural justice, then what hope do ordinary Nigerians have when facing oppression? Like Natasha herself said, “This Injustice Will Not Be Sustained.” If anyone thinks they can get away with this, they are about to face a serious reality check. This is the moment where Nigeria must choose. Either we uphold the law, or we allow impunity to take over. Either we defend democracy, or we let it collapse under power abuse. Natasha will stand. The courts must stand. The NBA must stand. And the Nigerian people must not forget. Because justice denied in one case is justice threatened for all. And history is watching.

Oshodi Open Door, also known as Oshodi Open Door Public Training (OOPDT, pronounced opidt), is a public awareness initiative promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in Africa through educational articles and resources at jos5930458@aol.com, and offers specialized Timely Response Solutions (TRS) training at minimal or no cost.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American psychologist, educator, author specializing in forensic clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, police prison science, social justice. Born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, he is the son of a 37-year veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, a background that shaped his commitment to justice, security, psychological research.

A pioneer in forensic psychology, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology to Nigeria in 2011 through the National Universities Commission (NUC) Nasarawa State University, where he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. His contributions extend beyond academia into psychological health behavioral change initiatives through the Oshodi Foundation the Center for Psychological Forensic Services.

Professor Oshodi has held faculty positions at Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Broward College, Nova Southeastern University, Lynn University. He is also a contributing faculty member in the doctoral undergraduate psychology programs at Walden University serves as a virtual professor with Weldios University and Iscom University.

Beyond academia, he is a government consultant for forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA previously served as Interim Associate Dean Assistant Professor at Broward College, Florida.

He has published extensively on mental health, justice, institutional reform is the founder of the Psychoafricalysis theory, which integrates African sociocultural perspectives into psychology.

Professor Oshodi remains an influential force in advancing psychology institutional reform globally, particularly in Africa.