In a major legal blow to the Nigerian Senate, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as unconstitutional and excessive—ordering her immediate reinstatement to the Red Chamber.
Delivering the landmark judgement on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako declared that the upper legislative chamber overstepped its authority when it barred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from legislative proceedings for half a year. The judge faulted the Senate’s interpretation of its own standing rules and relevant legislative laws, arguing that neither Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders nor Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act grants such sweeping powers to suspend an elected representative for that length of time.
According to Justice Nyako, the lack of a clearly defined maximum suspension period in the Senate’s rulebook does not translate to unlimited discretion. “Suspending a senator for a duration that matches nearly the entire legislative calendar year is tantamount to denying their constituents the right to representation. That, this court finds, is unconstitutional,” she ruled firmly.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in May 2024 after a rowdy session over allegations she made concerning electoral violence and corruption in the 2023 elections—a debate which quickly spiralled into a political flashpoint.
The judge maintained that while the Senate does have the right to discipline its members, that authority must not infringe on the democratic rights of the people who elected them.
Interestingly, the court also addressed a related incident involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who previously denied Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the right to speak during a plenary on grounds that she wasn’t seated in her designated spot. On this matter, the court ruled in Akpabio’s favour, stating that his action did not violate any of the senator’s rights.
Human Interest & Legal Twist:
In a surprising twist, the court did impose a financial penalty on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating an earlier court directive that barred all parties from speaking publicly about the ongoing legal case. Sources say the fine runs into millions of naira, adding a dramatic layer to what has already been a politically charged legal battle.
With this ruling, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to resume her legislative duties immediately. The judgement also sends a powerful message to the National Assembly: disciplinary actions must operate within constitutional bounds and must not silence the voices of millions of Nigerians under the guise of internal legislative discipline.
Update pending on whether the Senate will appeal this ruling or comply without resistance.
