The Nigerian Senate has outlined conditions for the possible reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her six-month suspension from the Red Chamber.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ruled that the suspension was excessive and directed the Senate to consider reinstating the Kogi Central lawmaker. The court held that while the Senate reserves the right to discipline its members, such sanctions must not violate the constitutional rights of constituents to representation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 over alleged gross misconduct during a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio concerning seating arrangements in the chamber. The situation escalated when she accused Akpabio, on live television, of punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances—a claim Akpabio has denied.
The senator, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenged her suspension in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. In her ruling, Justice Nyako faulted provisions in Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, declaring them overreaching due to the absence of a defined maximum suspension period.
She emphasized that given the Senate is constitutionally required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, suspending Akpoti-Uduaghan for 180 days effectively disenfranchised the people of Kogi Central.
“The court is not saying the Senate lacks the power to sanction members,” Nyako noted. “However, such actions must not strip constituents of their right to representation.”
However, Justice Nyako also found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a satirical apology she posted on Facebook during the legal proceedings. The court ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days and fined her ₦5 million.
In response to the court ruling nullifying Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the Senate would not reinstate her immediately, emphasizing that the judgment did not strip the chamber of its constitutional authority to discipline its members.
“The court clearly affirmed that the Senate retains the power to sanction its members,” Adaramodu said. “There’s no judgment to appeal because the court did not override our disciplinary powers.”
He noted that the court found the senator guilty of misconduct and directed her to make restitution, including a public apology and the payment of a fine. Until those conditions are met, the Senate will not take further action.
“She must first comply with the court’s directives. Once she does, the Senate will reconvene to evaluate the nature and sincerity of her restitution, and that will guide our next steps,” he explained.
Adaramodu made it clear that the responsibility now lies with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan. “The next move is hers. After she fulfills the court’s instructions, we will deliberate on her case based on the outcome of that compliance,” he added.