A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Fatima Nyako, on Friday invalidated the suspension imposed on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi State. The court ruled that the suspension was unconstitutional and consequently ordered her immediate reinstatement to the Senate. The ruling arose after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had approached the court, contesting the legality of her six-month suspension by the upper chamber. Delivering her judgment, Justice Nyako highlighted that even though the National Assembly retains the legal authority to sanction or discipline its members for misconduct, such punitive actions must not go so far as to strip constituents of their right to fair representation. Justice Nyako emphasized that the six-month suspension violated constitutional safeguards and amounted to an excessive sanction. She pointed out that the disciplinary measure surpassed the 180-day legislative sitting period permitted for a House, thereby effectively silencing the voice of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents for too long. While nullifying the suspension and directing the Senate to restore the senator’s membership without further delay, the court, however, found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt of court. As a result, Justice Nyako imposed a fine of five million naira against her. Additionally, the senator was ordered to publicly apologize to the court. According to the judgment, this apology must be published in two widely circulated national newspapers and also shared publicly on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Facebook page. By this decision, the Federal High Court has underscored the balance between a legislative body’s power to discipline its members and the constitutional guarantee that citizens must have continuous representation through their elected lawmakers. The judgment has drawn public attention to the limits of legislative sanctions while reaffirming judicial oversight in preserving democratic rights.
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.
