The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that her six-month suspension, imposed in March 2025, was excessive and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako held that the Senate’s disciplinary action infringed upon the rights of Kogi Central constituents to parliamentary representation. The judge emphasized that while the Senate reserves the right to discipline its members, such measures must not undermine democratic representation.
“The court is not disputing the Senate’s power to sanction its members,” Justice Nyako stated, “but such sanctions must not strip citizens of their constitutional right to be represented in the National Assembly.”
Citing that the National Assembly is only required to sit for 181 days in a legislative year, the judge noted that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s 180-day suspension practically excluded her constituents from federal legislative processes.
The court also dismissed a preliminary objection raised by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who claimed the court lacked jurisdiction. Additionally, the court ruled that Akpabio did not violate any rules by denying Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor during plenary, as she was not in her designated seat.
The judgment came just a day after the court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for violating a gag order by posting a satirical apology to Akpabio on Facebook. As a result, she was fined ₦5 million and ordered to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within seven days.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension stemmed from a petition she submitted accusing Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions investigated the matter and recommended her suspension, which also included cutting off her salary, withdrawing security escorts, and barring her from all Senate-related activities.
Tensions within the Senate preceded the suspension. Some lawmakers, including Senators Danjuma Goje and Abdul Ningi, reportedly advocated for a reconciliation committee and even proposed a vote of confidence in Akpabio. However, Senator Adams Oshiomhole opposed any reversal, insisting it would weaken the Senate’s authority, while Senator Victor Umeh backed Akpabio, also calling for a formal vote of confidence.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan later brought her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), calling the suspension an example of the systemic challenges women face in Nigerian politics. At the IPU forum, she decried the conditions of her suspension and the Senate’s response to her harassment claims.
“I was suspended under severe restrictions, no salary, no security, barred from the National Assembly, and stripped of my identity as a senator,” she said. “Instead of accountability, my demand for a fair investigation has been met with hostility.”
Following her presentation, IPU President Tulia Ackson noted that the organization would review the case after considering all sides.
With the new court ruling, the Senate is now compelled to restore Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s full legislative privileges and allow her to resume representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly.
