Senate Urged to Recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in Line with Court Judgment — Nigerian Activist

An activist, Faith Nwadishi, who serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), has called on the Nigerian Senate to uphold the ruling of the Federal High Court mandating the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi), who was earlier suspended.

According to LMSINT MEDIA, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been placed on suspension by the upper legislative chamber on March 6, citing alleged breaches of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).

Nevertheless, the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, on Friday, issued a directive compelling the Senate to reinstate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, from her suspension.

Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Binta Nyako characterized the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate as “excessive.”

Speaking in reaction to the court ruling, Faith Nwadishi remarked that since the pronouncement originated from a court of law, the Senate was obligated to comply with the decision, emphasizing that no one is above the law.

Nwadishi stated, “The court essentially functions as an arbiter — that is, an intermediary institution — to resolve disputes. Therefore, I welcome the court’s decision instructing that she be recalled. In my view, this issue ought not to have dragged on for so long. I strongly urge the leadership of the Senate to immediately obey the court’s judgment.”

Meanwhile, Justice Nyako, in the same judgment, also imposed a penalty of five million naira (N5,000,000) on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The judge explained that the fine stemmed from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “satirical apology” which she posted to her Facebook page on April 27, in contravention of an existing, valid court order.

Justice Nyako further directed Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to issue an unreserved apology in two national newspapers as well as on her Facebook page within seven days of the order, in order to purge herself of the contempt committed against the court.