… Describes Six-Month Suspension as “Excessive”; Orders Apology and ₦5 Million Fine

The court emphasized that while legislative bodies hold the authority to discipline members, such actions must not infringe on the rights of elected officials or the democratic process.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, following her six-month suspension, which the court described as “excessive.”

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the suspension imposed on the senator lacked proportional justification and must be reversed. The court emphasized that while legislative bodies hold the authority to discipline members, such actions must not infringe on the rights of elected officials or the democratic process.

Justice Nyako also sanctioned Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan with a ₦5 million fine for disobeying a valid court order. The fine stemmed from a “satirical apology” the senator posted on her Facebook page on April 27, which the court found to be in contempt of its directives.

In addition, the court ordered the senator to issue a formal apology within seven days. The apology must be published in two national newspapers and reposted on her Facebook page to demonstrate compliance and purge herself of the contempt charge.

The case originated from a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) filed by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 3. The legal action named the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Public Petitions and Privileges, Senator Neda Imasuen, as co-defendants. The suit sought to halt any sanctions being considered against her for alleged misconduct.

The ruling marks a significant victory for the senator and reasserts judicial oversight over internal disciplinary actions taken by the legislature.

This development follows a contentious series of events that began earlier this year, when Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended over actions deemed inappropriate by Senate leadership. Her legal challenge has now resulted in a binding judgment that curtails the Senate’s disciplinary move and underscores the importance of due process.

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