The Senate has been ordered to recall the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the six months suspension imposed on her
This was delivered in a judgement by the federal High Court in Abuja on Friday by Justice Binta Nyako. She noted that the suspension is excessive and undermines democratic principles.
“The right of constituents to be represented must not be eroded by internal disciplinary measures.”
“The suspension is excessive. Lawmakers are entitled to sit for 181 days in every legislative year. Suspending a senator for six months is akin to pushing her away from her responsibilities to her constituents for almost the entire session,” Justice Nyako said.
In her judgement, Justice Nyako upheld that the Senate has the power to discipline its members, but ruled that both Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act which backed her suspension were overreaching and do not specify any maximum period for which a lawmaker could be suspended.
The court, however, maintained the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the chance to speak during plenary, finding that Akpabio had the authority to do so because the senator was not yet in her assigned place. In addition, the judge rejected Akpabio’s claim that the court lacked jurisdiction, reaffirming that the judiciary can step in when constitutional rights are under jeopardy.
“The internal affairs of the Senate cannot be used as a shield when the fundamental rights of citizens and their representatives are in question,” Justice Nyako held.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has also be fined the sume of ₦5 million for contempt of court. The Senator had breeched the court’s order by publishing a sarcastic apology to the Senate President on her Facebook page when both parties were restrained from making public statements of the case.
In addition to that the senator was ordered to publish within seven days an apology in two national newspapers and also on her Facebook page
Recall that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was on March 6, 2025, suspended after a rift with the Senate President. She had accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office, following the conflict of seat arrangement on February 20, 2025.
