Suspended Nigerian Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has announced her return to the Senate on Tuesday, following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified her suspension.
In a video shared across social media, the Senator celebrated the ruling and expressed gratitude to her loyal supporters, describing the verdict as a major triumph for democratic values.
“Thank you for your unwavering support. I’m happy we achieved victory today. By God’s grace, we’ll resume in the Senate on Tuesday,” she told cheering constituents.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ruled her suspension invalid, ordering her immediate reinstatement. Justice Binta Nyako declared the Senate’s action “excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of the rights of her constituents.”
The court, however, imposed a ₦5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt, citing a Facebook post that breached an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025. The injunction had barred all involved parties from commenting publicly or on social media regarding the suspension.
The controversial post, shared on April 27, was a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio. While her legal team claimed the post was unrelated to the case and referenced prior allegations of sexual harassment made during a live TV interview, the court ruled otherwise, concluding it was connected to the ongoing legal proceedings.
Justice Nyako also emphasized that the Senate’s disciplinary process lacked constitutional backing and urged reforms to ensure alignment with democratic principles and representative rights.
She further stated that elected lawmakers are expected to attend at least 161 sitting days annually, and that the six-month suspension effectively robbed Kogi Central constituents of proper representation.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 following a disagreement over seating arrangements, which later escalated when she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, deepening the political controversy.
