The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate, describing the action as excessive and unjustified.
Delivering judgment, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the immediate recall of the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, emphasizing that the suspension denied her constituents fair representation.
Justice Nyako ruled that both Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act—which formed the basis of the suspension—were overreaching, as neither specified the maximum duration a lawmaker could be suspended.
The judge noted that, with the National Assembly required to sit for 181 days annually, a six-month suspension effectively excluded Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from nearly all legislative activities within that period. While affirming the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, the court stressed that such punishment must not be disproportionate or infringe on the rights of constituents to be represented.
However, the court upheld the decision of Senate President Godswill Akpabio to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary, stating that she was not seated at her officially assigned seat at the time.
Justice Nyako also dismissed Akpabio’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction over the case, affirming that the matter was justiciable.
Despite ruling in her favour, the court fined Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan N5 million for violating a prior court order that restrained all parties from making public comments on the case. She was further directed to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days.
