Federal High Court Throws Out Suit Against Senate President Akpabio Over Senator Natasha’s Suspension

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit challenging Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice James Omotosho, ruling on Friday, held that the ten plaintiffs who filed the suit lacked the legal standing, or locus standi, to bring the case. He struck out the suit, describing it as without merit.

The case, filed as FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025 by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, sought to overturn the six-month suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct. The plaintiffs argued that the suspension would leave Kogi Central Senatorial District underrepresented.

Justice Omotosho disagreed, noting that the plaintiffs were not in a position to contest the Senate’s decision in court.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate in July. She subsequently challenged the suspension, and in September, Justice Omotosho ordered her immediate reinstatement, declaring the Senate’s action unlawful.

The Senate has appealed that ruling and requested a stay of execution, with the appeal still pending before the Court of Appeal.