Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday ordered the Senate to recall the Kogi Central lawmaker, describing her suspension as “excessive” and in violation of the constitutional rights of her constituents to representation.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, was suspended in March following a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over sitting arrangements. The dispute escalated when she accused the Senate President, on national television, of retaliating against her for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances—an allegation Akpabio has denied.
Her lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, challenged the legality of the suspension. Justice Nyako, while delivering judgment, faulted Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, stating they lacked clarity on the maximum suspension period permissible for lawmakers.
“The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament,” Nyako ruled.
She noted that since the National Assembly is only constitutionally required to sit for 181 days annually, the 180-day suspension effectively deprived Kogi Central of representation for nearly the entire legislative calendar.
However, the court also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a satirical Facebook post on April 27, which referenced her suspension. Justice Nyako directed her to publish a formal apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. A N5 million fine was also imposed.
Following the ruling, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu stated that the Senate would not act on her reinstatement until she fully complies with the court’s conditions.
“Which judgment are we appealing when the court said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members? The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator,” Adaramodu said.
He maintained that the Senate’s next move would depend on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s response to the court’s restitution order.
“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action,” he added
Nah wah.
ReplyDeletePride speaking...
She will restitute, then you all will look into the restitution to ascertain if enough or not?
Person wife ooo.
That's to say, you all want to humiliate her some more. Hmmm
These power drunk politicians ehn, nah wah
So its ok if shes single? Or whats the relevance of 'person wife' in this?
Delete"Person wife ooo."
DeleteMaybe she should have stayed home as a full-time home maker wife.
Whether single or married , she erred. Fine, she'll do as the court has proposed abi positioned.
DeleteNext.
Senator Akpabio's case.
Did he or did he not harass her sexually? That's what the world is waiting for.
You don't sit around imagining the perky breasts of another man's wife or a female colleague dangling before you "during during".
THAT IS SACRILEGE!
Osiso kwa, we await.
16 senators had their seats changed, only one senator alleged it was because of sexual harassment.
DeleteIf Akpabio goes to Geneva to sue for such allegations, who will win?
They are playing with the court like American politicians
ReplyDeleteShe played with the court first.
DeleteA claimant who has no respect for the court she sought judgment from.
She had a better case on her case against the Senate on this case as said several times on this blog .
But she could not resist her cheering audience and her desire to take a pound of flesh plus all body fluids in it from the man - to humiliate him.
The Senate won its case - it has power to discipline her.
She "won" a case she did not plead - the penalty is excessive.
She is the person paying money and apologizing on record as the disobedient litigant - which tallies with the Senate's case that she is a Senator prone to disobeying legally exercised powers.
Pyrrhic victory for her?
Lawless Senate! How can they make good laws when they cannot even obey the court's judgement!!!! 🤦🏾♀️
ReplyDeleteThey are just trying to cover their shame for losing the cSe against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
She is one of them as described. Hehehehe.
DeleteYou are ill-informed.
DeleteI think it is only fair .
ReplyDeleteI think I am with the senate on this.. you can not disobey set rules in an organised setting without consequences. She should apologise properly as she has been ordered by the courts. If they allow her to resume just like that, who knows who else will insult the NASS and get away with it.. I am not looking at the individuals involved in this case but at the National assembly as an entity.
ReplyDeleteContempt of court has nothing to do with the reinstatement order
DeleteNow they are in contempt