Court orders Senate to recall Sen. Natasha from suspension

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended in March 2025 for six months.

Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the judgement on Friday, ruled that the suspension was excessive and deprived the lawmaker’s constituents of their right to representation.

The judge stated that while the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, such disciplinary actions must not strip citizens of representation in the National Assembly.

She noted that since the Senate is constitutionally required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s 180-day suspension amounted to denying the people of Kogi Central effective participation in national governance.

“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,” Justice Nyako ruled.

In the same judgement, the court dismissed the preliminary objection raised by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who had argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.

The court also held that Akpabio did not violate any laws by denying Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor during plenary, noting that she was not seated in her designated spot at the time.

This ruling comes one day after the same court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for breaching its gag order on public commentary related to the matter.

She had posted a satirical apology to Senate President Akpabio on her Facebook page in April. For that action, the court fined her ₦5 million and ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within seven days.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March following a recommendation by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

The committee cited her petition accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and alleged violation of Senate rules. Her suspension also included the withdrawal of her salaries, benefits, and security escorts.

Before the court ruling, there were internal disagreements within the Senate over how to handle the issue. Senators Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) and Abdul Ahmed Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) had reportedly pushed for a resolution committee and a vote of confidence in Akpabio.

However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC) opposed any reversal of the suspension, arguing that it would weaken the Senate’s authority. Senator Victor Umeh (Labour Party) supported Akpabio and proposed a formal vote of confidence in him.

The executive session where these positions were debated ended with the decision to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to serve her full suspension, which took effect on March 6, 2025.
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Following her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan took the matter to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international organization of parliaments, describing her suspension as a reflection of the broader challenges women face in Nigerian politics.

Speaking at an IPU session, she said, “I was suspended for six months under stringent conditions: my security detail was withdrawn, all officials working closely with me as a senator were removed, my salary was cut off, I was barred from appearing anywhere near the National Assembly, and for six months, I was prohibited from introducing myself as a senator.”

She added, “My call for an open investigation into harassment has been met with hostility instead of accountability, in full view of the world. Imagine what ordinary Nigerians face every day.”

After her presentation, IPU President Tulia Ackson said the organisation would look into the matter after hearing the other side.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had initially submitted a petition to the Senate alleging sexual harassment, abuse of office, and obstruction of legislative duties by the Senate President. The petition, signed by a constituent, was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics for investigation.

She was later suspended following accusations by the committee that her actions brought the Senate and its leadership into disrepute. The committee further recommended that any reconsideration of her suspension would require her to submit a written apology.

With the latest court ruling, the Senate is now under judicial directive to restore her legislative privileges and allow her to resume duties representing Kogi Central.