***Imposes N5m fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating a previous gag order
In a landmark judgment that strikes at the heart of legislative overreach, the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ruled that the Nigerian Senate acted unlawfully in suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, ordering her immediate reinstatement.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Binta Nyako declared the suspension “excessive” and lacking any legal justification, stating it effectively silenced the entire Kogi Central constituency—a violation of constitutional rights.
“While the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, such sanctions must not go so far as to deny constituents their right to representation,” the judge said.
The Senate had invoked Chapter 8 of its Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan in March 2025 following allegations she made against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, including claims of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
However, the court found no legal basis for a suspension of that duration. With the legislature required to sit only 181 days annually, Nyako noted, suspending a senator for nearly that full duration amounted to stripping their constituents of representation.
In a separate ruling, the court rejected Akpabio’s claim that the judiciary had no jurisdiction over what he called an “internal legislative matter.” Justice Nyako made it clear: when fundamental rights and representation are at stake, the courts must intervene.
Still, the court gave Akpabio a partial reprieve, ruling that his refusal to allow Akpoti-Uduaghan to speak during plenary—because she wasn’t seated in her designated chair—did not violate her rights.
In a dramatic twist, the court also imposed Five Million naira fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating a previous gag order. She had made public statements, including a satirical apology on social media, despite a court directive prohibiting both parties from public commentary during the trial.
The court’s decision now forces the Senate to restore Akpoti-Uduaghan’s full legislative privileges, including her right to resume plenary duties—potentially reshaping the political dynamics in the Red Chamber.
This ruling sets a strong legal precedent: discipline cannot override democratic representation. And for Senator Natasha, it marks a dramatic legal comeback after months of political isolation.
