Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring her six-month suspension as “unduly excessive” and harmful to the democratic rights of her constituents in Kogi Central.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Nyako noted that the lengthy suspension deprived the people of valid representation, and urged the Senate to review its sanction procedures to ensure they are not overly punitive or unconstitutional.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a suit against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen — Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions — over what she described as unlawful suspension.
However, in a twist, the court also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a Facebook post she made on April 27, 2025, which featured a satirical apology to the Senate despite an earlier April 4 court order restraining public commentary on the case.
As a result, the court fined the senator N5 million and ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within seven days and on her Facebook page within two days.
The senator had been suspended on March 6, 2025, following accusations of gross misconduct, including a refusal to sit in her reassigned seat during a plenary session on February 20 — a move the Senate deemed as a violation of its standing rules.
Friday’s ruling comes amid Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenges, including a separate cybercrime charge, for which she is currently out on bail.
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