SUSPENDED SENATOR NATASHA TO RESUME DUTY ON TUESDAY AFTER COURT RULING

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is set to return to the Senate on Tuesday following a court ruling that declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional and a violation of her constituents’ right to representation.

Akpoti-Uduaghan announced her return in a video shared on social media, which gained traction on Sunday. “I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she said.

Her remarks came in response to a judgment delivered Friday by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court ruled that the Senate’s decision to suspend her for six months lacked legal justification and was procedurally flawed.

Justice Nyako held that the suspension was excessive and denied the people of Kogi Central their constitutional right to legislative representation. She stressed that lawmakers are constitutionally required to attend at least 181 sitting days in a legislative year and warned that indefinite or prolonged suspensions without due process undermine democratic principles.

While granting her reinstatement, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt for a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The post, which appeared to mockingly apologize to Akpabio, was ruled to have violated an interim court order issued on March 4, 2025, which barred public commentary on the matter.

As a result, the court imposed a N5 million fine on the senator for breaching the injunction.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March following a heated Senate plenary session that reportedly turned chaotic over seating arrangements. The situation escalated further when she publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako urged the National Assembly to review its disciplinary procedures to ensure they comply with constitutional safeguards and principles of fair hearing.

The ruling marks a significant victory for Akpoti-Uduaghan and her supporters, as she prepares to resume her legislative duties in the Red Chamber.