Justice Binta Nyako says six-month suspension was excessive and deprived constituents of representation.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that her six-month suspension from the chamber was excessive and unconstitutional.
Justice Binta Nyako delivered the judgment on Thursday, declaring that the Senate’s disciplinary action violated both legislative norms and the rights of the people of Kogi Central, whom Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan represents.
While acknowledging that the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, the court emphasized that such sanctions must be proportionate and not infringe on constituents’ rights to representation. “Lawmakers are entitled to 181 sitting days per legislative year,” the judge noted, adding that the suspension effectively sidelined the senator for nearly all of that period.
Suspension Rules Declared Overreaching
Justice Nyako also invalidated aspects of Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers, and Privileges Act, describing them as “overreaching” for not setting a clear limit on how long a lawmaker can be suspended.
In a mixed ruling, the court upheld Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to deny Senator Natasha the floor during a previous plenary session, citing her failure to occupy her designated seat. However, it directed the senator to issue a public apology and imposed a ₦5 million fine for violating a court order that barred public commentary on the matter during litigation. She is to publish the apology in two national newspapers within seven days.
Legal Troubles Continue
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, a vocal member of the opposition, is currently battling two separate criminal cases involving alleged cybercrime and defamation in Abuja courts.
Her suspension on March 6, 2025, followed a heated confrontation in the Senate chamber, where she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office after a seat allocation dispute on February 20. Akpabio denied the allegations, and the Senate’s disciplinary committee later dismissed her petition, citing procedural lapses.
The female senator subsequently filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and resubmitted her harassment petition the following day.
