After Declaring Natasha’s Ban Unconstitutional Court Orders Senate To Review Suspension Rules
The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Senate to review its suspension procedures, following a ruling that declared the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan unlawful and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the immediate recall of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, stating that her suspension amounted to a denial of representation for the people of Kogi Central.
The judge described the suspension as “unduly excessive” and criticised the Senate’s disciplinary process, advising a comprehensive review of its rules on sanctions.
The senator had sued 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.
The court ruled that the suspension violated Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which affirms that constituents must not be denied representation.
Justice Nyako emphasised that legislative suspensions must not override constitutional guarantees or be used as a means to silence dissenting voices.
In addition to ordering her reinstatement, the court called on the Senate to revise its internal rules to ensure disciplinary actions are fair, proportionate, and in line with democratic principles.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Nigerian Senate in March during a closed-door session, following her public accusation of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio—a claim that sparked outrage within the legislature.
However, while ruling on the matter, Justice Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja also found the senator guilty of contempt of court.
The charge stemmed from a satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27, 2025, which the court held violated an earlier order prohibiting parties in the case from making public statements.
As a consequence, the judge imposed a fine of ₦5 million on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and ordered her to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days, and on her Facebook page within two days.
Justice Nyako ruled that the Facebook post breached the court’s April 4 order, which restrained all parties from issuing press statements concerning the case.
The Senate had earlier cited Akpoti-Uduaghan for gross misconduct and violation of its standing rules. Specifically, she was accused of refusing to occupy a new seat assigned to her during plenary on February 20, 2025, an action the chamber viewed as insubordination.
The court had originally scheduled judgment for June 27 but postponed it to July 4.
This ruling is separate from the ongoing cybercrime case involving Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, in which she has been granted bail.
Senate President Akpabio filed the contempt application as part of the senator’s broader legal challenge to her suspension.
In his application, Senate President Akpabio argued that a social media post by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violated a court order restraining all parties from making public comments or social media posts about the case.
In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer claimed the post was unrelated to the suspension proceedings and instead referred to separate sexual harassment allegations against Akpabio.
However, after reviewing the post and the contempt application filed by the third respondent, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the content was directly connected to the ongoing suspension case. She therefore found the senator guilty of contempt.
