By Rafiyat Sadiq
The Federal High Court in Abuja has called on the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the National Assembly as the representative of Kogi Central.
Justice Binta Nyako delivered the ruling on Friday and said that while the Senate has the power to suspend a lawmaker, such action must not deny citizens their right to representation.
“The court will not interfere with legislative issues,” she said. “But on the issue of infringement of rights, it can interfere.”
Justice Nyako held that a six-month suspension was excessive and not intended by law. “The Senate can and should recall her back. Suspending the senator for six months is excessive and robs the people of her constituency of their rights of representation,” she said.
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She urged the Senate to review their rules and also referred to Chapter 8 of the Senate Rules, which gives the Senate President the authority to change seat arrangements as well as suspend the wanted senator
The judge further noted that lawmakers sit for a total of 181 days per legislative session, and suspending Senator Natasha for 6 months (180 days) denies her constituents effective representation.
Contempt of Court Over Facebook Post
Justice Nyako also found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt, classifying the issue of contempt as a civil matter.
This was based on an earlier order issued on April 4, 2025, which barred parties in the case, including Senator Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan, from granting media interviews or making social media posts.
Despite this, Akpoti-Uduaghan published a satirical apology to the Senate President on her Facebook page on April 7. The court said the post mocked its order.
Natasha argued she was exercising her freedom of expression, but the court disagreed, saying, “While she wants to exercise her freedom of expression, such a right is not absolute.”
Apology and Fine Ordered
As a result of the contempt ruling, the court ordered Senator Natasha to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.
She was also fined ₦5 million. The court clarified that the contempt charge was related to civil proceedings.
The lawmaker had earlier filed a case, FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct.
She sought an order restraining the Senate committee from continuing a misconduct investigation linked to events during a February 20 plenary, which the Senate acted upon on February 25.
Pinnacle Daily recalls that on March 6, 2025, the Senate suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, citing breaches of Senate rules.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.