The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from representing Kogi Central Senatorial District for six months.
Delivering the landmark judgment, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the suspension was excessive, unjust, and unconstitutional, emphasizing that it denied the people of Kogi Central their democratic right to representation.
Court Faults Senate Rules and Legislative Act
Justice Nyako criticized Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, stating that neither provided a clear or reasonable limit for the suspension of a lawmaker.
She noted that members of the National Assembly are expected to sit for 181 days in a legislative year, and suspending a senator for six months effectively cuts them off from participating for almost the entire session, which undermines democracy.
“While the Senate has the constitutional authority to discipline its members, such sanctions must not be so extreme that they disenfranchise the voters who elected them,” the judge said.
Senate President Akpabio’s Action Partially Upheld
The court, however, upheld the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio’s, decision not to allow Senator Natasha to speak during a plenary session, as she was not seated in her designated seat at the time.
Additionally, the judge dismissed Akpabio’s argument that the issue was an internal Senate matter, affirming the court’s jurisdiction to intervene in matters involving constitutional rights.
Senator Natasha Fined for Contempt
Despite ruling in her favour, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for mocking a court order that barred her from making public comments on the case.
She was fined ₦5 million and ordered to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.
Background
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate following a controversial Facebook post and public disagreements involving the Senate President. Her suspension sparked debates over legislative overreach and the silencing of opposition voices.
