In a major blow to the Nigerian Senate, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that her six-month suspension was both excessive and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako said the Senate overstepped its bounds by sidelining the Kogi Central lawmaker, effectively denying her constituents representation for nearly an entire legislative year.
“The Senate may discipline its members, but it cannot do so in a way that nullifies the constitutional rights of citizens,” Nyako declared.
The court found that neither the Senate Standing Orders nor the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act specifies a suspension duration, making the six-month penalty legally groundless.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s claim that the judiciary had no jurisdiction over the case was thrown out. Justice Nyako reaffirmed that matters of representation and constitutional rights fall squarely under judicial oversight.
However, the court agreed with Akpabio on a narrower point: his refusal to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to speak during plenary — because she wasn’t seated in her designated chair — did not amount to a breach of her rights.
In a separate decision, the court fined Akpoti-Uduaghan millions of naira for contempt, citing her public comments on the case despite a standing gag order. The fine follows a Facebook post she made in April mocking Senate leadership
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 after petitioning the Senate Committee on Ethics, alleging sexual harassment and abuse of office by Senate President Akpabio. The committee found her conduct disreputable and recommended a full suspension, along with withdrawal of her salary, aides, and security detail.
The Senate must now immediately restore Akpoti-Uduaghan’s privileges and allow her to return to legislative duties. The ruling is seen as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s power to check legislative excess — and a win for democratic accountability.