Following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate has set conditions for her recall. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that her suspension was excessive and deprived her constituents of their right to representation.
In March 2025, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months due to a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The suspension stemmed from accusations of gross misconduct and a fallout over seating arrangements. Akpoti-Uduaghan had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment after she rejected his advances, a claim that he has denied. The Senate Committee on Ethics rejected Akpoti-Uduaghan’s petition regarding the alleged harassment, citing procedural rule violations.
In her ruling, Justice Nyako found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a satirical apology she posted on Facebook, which violated a gag order related to the case. The court ordered her to publish an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days, along with imposing a fine of N5 million.
The Senate, represented by spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, stated that it would not immediately recall Akpoti-Uduaghan. Adaramodu emphasized that the court judgment did not override the Senate’s constitutional powers to discipline its members, and the Senate would only reconvene to discuss the matter after Akpoti-Uduaghan complied with the court’s directives. Senate counsel Paul Dauda described the ruling as a partial victory for the Senate, affirming its right to discipline members while clarifying that the court only suggested that the Senate could consider recalling her.
The court’s decision highlighted that while the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, such actions must not strip citizens of their representation in the National Assembly. Justice Nyako noted that since the Senate is constitutionally required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s 180-day suspension effectively denied the people of Kogi Central their right to participate in national governance. The court also criticized the relevant Senate rules for failing to specify the maximum period a lawmaker could be suspended.
In the wake of the ruling, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar commended Justice Nyako for lifting Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, praising her for seeking legal redress.
