The Senate has given conditions for the reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja nullified the six-month suspension handed down on her by the Sen. Godswill Akpabio-led Senate.
In her ruling on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako ordered the Senate to reinstate the Kogi Central senator, citing her suspension as disproportionate.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended for six months by the Red Chamber in March for alleged gross misconduct after a disagreement with Akpabio about the seating arrangement.
Tensions rose when Natasha claimed on national television that Akpabio was punishing her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances.
The Peoples Democratic Party senator filed a petition against the Red Chamber, saying that Akpabio sexually harassed her, which the Senate President has sincerely refuted.
Natasha filed a lawsuit against her suspension under the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
In her decision, Justice Nyako condemned Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers, and Privileges Act, judging both to be overreaching.
The court emphasised that the two bills failed to identify the maximum term for which a serving legislator may be suspended from office.
Justice Nyako noted that, while the Red Chamber has the ability to reprimand its members, such actions must not deprive residents of representation in the National Assembly.
She pointed out that because the Senate was only required to meet for 181 days every legislative year, Natasha’s 180-day ban amounted to depriving the people of Kogi Central of effective participation in national administration.
“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,” Justice Nyako ruled.
The court, however, found Natasha guilty of contempt for posting a sarcastic apology on her Facebook page on April 27.
Justice Nyako determined that after reading the post and the application filed by the third respondent, she was satisfied that it was related to the suspension matter before the court and thus found the plaintiff guilty of contempt.
The judge ordered Natasha to issue an apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days. She also issued a fine of ₦5 million.
In response to the decision, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu stated that the Red Chamber will not instantly reinstall the embattled senator.
Adaramodu claimed that the court decision did not overturn the Red Chamber’s constitutional authority to reprimand its members.
“Which judgement are we appealing when they (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.
“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,” Adaramodu said.
The Red Chamber, he continued, would only reassemble to discuss the subject after Akpoti-Uduaghan had followed the court’s instructions.
“The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.
“The first reaction now will not be from us; the court has ruled, so once she takes the step to redress and does what the court has directed her to do, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court,” Adaramodu added.
Speaking to journalists after the judgement, the Senate counsel, Paul Dauda, SAN, described the ruling as a partial victory for the Senate, particularly on the issue of civil contempt arising from social media posts made during the case.
Dauda said, “The first application filed by the Senate, that no social media posts should have been made, was decided in our favour. The court directed that the satirical apology be taken down and that a proper apology be published in two national dailies. Additionally, damages of five million naira were awarded to be paid to the court.”
Speaking on the substantive ruling regarding the suspension, Dauda noted that the Senate’s authority to discipline its members was not in dispute.
“It appears the court affirmed that the Senate, as an institution, has the right to discipline its members. While members are elected to represent constituencies, they are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the Senate’s standing rules,” he said.
Dauda explained that the court did not order Natasha’s reinstatement but merely suggested that the Red Chamber could consider recalling her.
“There was no relief in asking for the suspension to be lifted. The judge only made what we call an obiter dictum, a non-binding remark, that the suspension may have been excessive. We will consult with our colleagues, read the full judgement, and respond accordingly,” he added.
