BREAKING NEWS: Federal High Court Orders Senate to Recall Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
⚖️ BREAKING NEWS
Federal High Court Orders Senate to Recall Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
By Prince Agbedeyi Odimientimi Desmond
Abuja, Nigeria | July 4, 2025
For Global Egberi Media International
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⚖️ Court Labels Senate Suspension “Excessive”
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, has delivered a landmark judgment directing the Nigerian Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for a period of six months.
Justice Nyako, in her ruling, described the suspension as “excessive” and legally overreaching, challenging the legislative backing under which the Senate acted.
🧾 Legal Foundation Declared “Overreaching”
The court critically examined Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, declaring both provisions as being misapplied in this instance.
Justice Nyako argued that while the Senate reserves the right to discipline its members, such sanctions must not go as far as denying constituents their right to representation, especially considering that senators are elected representatives of the people.
📅 Suspension Equals 180 Legislative Days
The judgment emphasized that lawmakers are only mandated to sit for 181 days per legislative calendar year. Thus, a six-month suspension effectively denies Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the ability to perform her legislative duties for almost the entire year, silencing the voice of the Kogi Central people in the Senate.
🪑 Court Defends Akpabio on Speaking Denial
In a separate but related issue, the court ruled that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was within his rights when he denied Senator Natasha the floor during plenary because she was not seated in her officially designated seat.
Nevertheless, the court advised that Senator Natasha issue a formal apology to the Senate as a mark of respect for the institution’s rules and procedures.
💰 Penalty for Court Order Violation
The court also imposed a ₦5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating its earlier order restraining all parties from making public comments on the suit.
Additionally, she was ordered to publish a public apology within seven days in two national newspapers.
👩🏽⚖️ Court Dismisses Senate’s “Internal Affairs” Argument
The Senate's legal team had argued that the matter was strictly an internal affair and outside the jurisdiction of the court. However, Justice Nyako held that any legislative action that infringes on constitutional rights or disenfranchises citizens is well within the jurisdiction of the judiciary to review.
📂 Ongoing Legal Battles
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is also currently facing two separate legal cases in the Federal Capital Territory — one for cybercrime and another for defamation — both of which are still ongoing.
🔍 Implications for Democracy and Rule of Law
This ruling serves as a reminder that legislative powers are not absolute and must be exercised with caution and respect for democratic norms. It affirms the judiciary’s role in curbing potential legislative excesses and safeguarding the rights of citizens to continuous and fair representation.
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