The Nigerian Senate has outlined conditions for the possible reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her six-month suspension from the Red Chamber.
Justice Binta Nyako, in her judgment delivered on Friday, declared the suspension excessive and emphasized that it infringed upon the constitutional rights of Kogi Central constituents to be represented in the National Assembly.
Senator Natasha was suspended in March for alleged gross misconduct after a fallout with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements. The situation escalated when she, during a televised appearance, accused Akpabio of punishing her for allegedly rejecting his sexual advances—an allegation the Senate President has denied.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator challenged her suspension in court through suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. In her ruling, Justice Nyako faulted Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act for lacking clarity on suspension limits.
“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,” the judge ruled.
She added that given the Senate is constitutionally required to sit for only 181 days per legislative year, suspending a senator for 180 days was, in effect, denying representation to an entire constituency.
However, Justice Nyako found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt over a satirical Facebook post made on April 27, which mocked the Senate. As a result, she was ordered to publish a formal apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days, and to pay a fine of N5 million.
Reacting to the judgment, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the Senate would not immediately reinstate Senator Natasha, noting that the court had not stripped the Senate of its constitutional right to discipline members.
“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 stated.
He added that the Senate would reconvene to deliberate on the matter only after senator Natasha has complied with the court’s directives.
“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 look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court,” he added.
Speaking to journalists, Senate Counsel Paul Dauda, SAN, described the ruling as a partial victory, especially concerning the contempt ruling related to Senator Natasha’s social media post.
“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,” he said.
Dauda emphasized that while the court criticized the length of the suspension, it did not explicitly order her reinstatement.
“There was no relief 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,” he clarified.
The Senate, he concluded, will review the full judgment and consult accordingly before taking further action.
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