The Nigerian Senate has declared that it will not immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite a Federal High Court ruling that overturned her six-month suspension and ordered her recall.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja described the suspension of the Kogi Central lawmaker as “excessive” and a violation of her constituents’ constitutional right to representation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was suspended in March following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The confrontation escalated after the senator publicly accused Akpabio of retaliating against her for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances—an allegation the Senate President strongly denied.
Her lawsuit, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, challenged the legal basis and fairness of the suspension.
Justice Nyako faulted both Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, arguing that they do not clearly specify the maximum permissible period for suspending a legislator.
“The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament,” Nyako ruled.
She noted that the National Assembly is only required by law to sit for 181 days annually, and a 180-day suspension would effectively disenfranchise the entire Kogi Central constituency for nearly the whole legislative year.
However, the court also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt over a satirical Facebook post she published on April 27, which referenced her suspension. As a result, the judge ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days. Additionally, she was fined N5 million.
Reacting to the ruling, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the Senate would not immediately comply with the reinstatement directive, insisting that Akpoti-Uduaghan must first fulfill the court’s restitution conditions.
“Which judgment are we appealing when the court said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members?” Adaramodu stated. “The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator.”
He added that the Senate’s next course of action would depend on the senator’s full compliance with the court’s ruling.
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