Court Orders Senate To Recall Suspended Kogi Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Senate must recall Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months.

The decision was delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, who said the suspension was too harsh and effectively denied the senator’s constituents proper representation.

Justice Nyako said the Senate overstepped its powers by suspending her for such a long period.

She also ruled that the provision in Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules, as well as Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers, and Privileges Act, were excessive and overreaching.

However, the court also ruled that Senate President Godswill Akpabio acted within his rights when he refused to allow Natasha to speak during a plenary session, as she was not seated in her assigned position at the time.

Justice Nyako directed her to issue an apology to the Senate President for that incident.

The judge noted that the law doesn’t clearly define how long a senator can be suspended.

According to the court, since lawmakers are expected to sit for 181 days in a legislative year, a six-month suspension would mean Natasha would miss nearly all of that, leaving her constituents without a voice.

Justice Nyako emphasized that while the Senate does have the authority to discipline its members, any punishment must be reasonable and should not silence the voice of a constituency.

The court also rejected Akpabio’s argument that the matter was an internal issue of the Senate and, therefore, outside the court’s jurisdiction.

Although the judgment favored Senator Natasha’s reinstatement, the court fined her ₦5 million for disobeying an earlier court order, which had instructed all parties not to make public comments on the case.

Natasha Akpoti was also ordered to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days.

KanyiDaily recalls that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was recently arranged on six new charges for allegedly defaming Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.