Justice went both ways as the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ruled that the Nigerian Senate’s ban on Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was unlawful and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment today, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the immediate recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that her suspension amounted to a denial of representation for her people in Kogi Central.
The judge described the suspension as “unduly excessive” and criticised the Senate’s disciplinary process, advising a comprehensive review of its rules on sanctions.
The senator had dragged to court the Clerk of the National Assembly; the Senate; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
The court ruled that her suspension violated Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which affirms that constituents must not be denied representation.
Justice Nyako emphasised that legislative suspensions must not override constitutional guarantees or be used as a means to silence dissenting voices.
In addition to ordering her reinstatement, the court called on the Senate to revise its internal rules to ensure disciplinary actions are proportionate, fair, and in line with democratic principles.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended last March during a closed-door session, following her public accusation of sexual harassment against Akpabio.
The claim triggered outrage among some senators.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Nyako, however, found the senator guilty of contempt of court.
The charge stemmed from an apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27, 2025, which the court declared as violating an earlier order prohibiting parties in the case from making public statements.
On account of this, Justice Nyako slammed a fine of ₦5 million on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, ordering the lawmaker to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days, and on her Facebook page within two days.
According to the judge, the Facebook post breached the court’s April 4 order, which restrained all parties from issuing press statements concerning the case.
The Senate had earlier suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged gross misconduct and violation of its standing rules.
The popular Kogi senator was accused of refusing to occupy a new seat assigned to her during plenary on February 20, 2025, with the Senator interpreting this as insubordination.
Akpabio had filed the contempt application as part of the senator’s broader legal challenge to her suspension. The Senate President had argued that by the Facebook post, Akpoti-Uduaghan violated the court’s order.
