Court Orders Senate to Recall Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Senate to immediately recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, after declaring her six-month suspension “excessive” and unconstitutional.

Delivering judgment on Friday, July 4, Justice Binta Nyako faulted both Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act, describing them as overreaching. The court noted that neither provision specifies a maximum period for suspending a serving lawmaker, and that the Senate’s action effectively denied the people of Kogi Central representation for nearly the entire legislative year, which consists of 181 sitting days.

Justice Nyako emphasized that while the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, any sanction must be proportionate and must not deprive constituents of their right to representation. The judge stated:

“The six-month suspension was akin to pushing her away from her responsibilities to her constituents for about 180 days.”

The court, however, upheld the Senate President’s decision to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary, as she was not seated in her officially designated seat at the time. Additionally, the court dismissed Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s argument that the judiciary lacked jurisdiction over what he described as an internal Senate affair.

In a related ruling, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for making a satirical post on social media in breach of a previous court order. She was fined ₦5 million and ordered to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.

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Key Points:

Senate ordered to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately.

Court described her six-month suspension as excessive and unconstitutional.

Senate’s disciplinary powers must not deprive constituents of representation.

Senator fined ₦5 million for contempt and ordered to apologize publicly.

This landmark judgment reaffirms the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in the National Assembly and sets a precedent on the limits of legislative disciplinary actions.