The Nigerian Senate has declared that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will not be reinstated immediately, despite a Federal High Court ruling overturning her six-month suspension.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday ordered the Senate to recall the Kogi Central lawmaker, describing her suspension as “excessive” and in violation of the constitutional rights of her constituents to representation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, was suspended in March following a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over sitting arrangements. The dispute escalated when she accused the Senate President, on national television, of retaliating against her for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances—an allegation Akpabio has denied.
Her lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, challenged the legality of the suspension. Justice Nyako, while delivering judgment, faulted Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, stating they lacked clarity on the maximum suspension period permissible for lawmakers.
“The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament,” Nyako ruled.
She noted that since the National Assembly is only constitutionally required to sit for 181 days annually, the 180-day suspension effectively deprived Kogi Central of representation for nearly the entire legislative calendar.
However, the court also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a satirical Facebook post on April 27, which referenced her suspension. Justice Nyako directed her to publish a formal apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. A N5 million fine was also imposed.
Following the ruling, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu stated that the Senate would not act on her reinstatement until she fully complies with the court’s conditions.
“Which judgment are we appealing when the court said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members? The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator,” Adaramodu said.
He maintained that the Senate’s next move would depend on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s response to the court’s restitution order.
“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action,” he added.