Abuja, FCT – The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate to immediately recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, following her suspension from legislative duties.
Delivering the judgment on Friday, July 4, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the six-month suspension handed down by the Senate was excessive and violated the rights of Senator Natasha’s constituents to legislative representation.
The judge emphasized that while the Senate has the authority to discipline members who violate its rules, such sanctions must be proportionate and not infringe upon the rights of the electorate.
“The suspension of a senator must not be so extensive that it deprives their constituents of representation,” Justice Nyako ruled.
She also held that Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act were overreaching, as they failed to specify the maximum duration a lawmaker can be suspended. Given that lawmakers are constitutionally allowed only 181 sitting days in a legislative session, the court said that a six-month suspension effectively silenced a senator for nearly an entire session—an outcome deemed unlawful.
Court Acknowledges Senate’s Right to Sanction—Within Limits
While affirming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had the legal authority to enforce discipline—including denying Senator Natasha the opportunity to speak while not seated in her designated position—the court ruled that the broader suspension lacked proportionality.
The judge also dismissed arguments made by Akpabio’s legal team that the matter was an “internal affair” of the Senate and therefore outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Ongoing Legal Battle with the Federal Government
In a separate development, Senator Natasha is currently facing a criminal defamation suit filed by the Federal Government under case number CR/297/25. The suit alleges that the senator made defamatory statements against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, including claims of an assassination plot.
Filed by the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) on May 16, the suit invokes Section 391 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes statements intended to harm another person’s reputation.
Ex-Minister Raises Concerns Over Political Motives
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, who attended one of the court hearings on June 19, alleged that the federal government is attempting to imprison Senator Natasha for political reasons. She disclosed that despite prosecutors requesting the court to remand the senator, bail was granted.
