JUST IN: COURT ORDERS SENATE TO RECALL SUSPENDED SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the immediate recall of suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring her six-month suspension by the Senate as excessive and unconstitutional.
In a landmark judgment delivered on Friday, the court ruled that the suspension denied Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of representation for nearly the entire legislative year, given that lawmakers are required to sit for just 181 days annually.
The judge faulted Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act, describing them as overreaching due to their failure to set a maximum suspension limit.
While affirming the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, Justice Nyako emphasized that such powers must not infringe on the rights of citizens to be represented in parliament.
The court, however, upheld Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the right to speak during plenary, stating she was not seated in her assigned spot at the time. It also ordered her to tender a formal apology to the Senate.
Additionally, the court imposed a N5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt, noting that she breached an earlier directive barring all parties from commenting publicly on the matter. She is required to publish an apology in two national newspapers within seven days.
Justice Nyako also dismissed Akpabio’s claim that the court lacked jurisdiction, asserting that the case was justiciable despite involving the internal workings of the Senate.
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