The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, after ruling that her six-month suspension was excessive and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the Senate exceeded its powers by suspending the lawmaker for such a prolonged period. The court declared that both Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act lacked clarity on the limits of disciplinary actions, making the suspension legally flawed.
Justice Nyako emphasized that the prolonged suspension effectively denied the people of Kogi Central their constitutional right to representation. With the Senate required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, the court noted that a six-month suspension would keep the senator away for nearly the entire period.
While the court acknowledged the Senate’s authority to discipline members, it stressed that such powers must be exercised within reasonable limits. The judge further advised that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan issue a formal apology to the Senate for her actions and urged the leadership to recall her promptly.
In a related ruling, Justice Nyako dismissed Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s argument that the court lacked jurisdiction, stating that the matter went beyond internal legislative procedures and touched on constitutional rights.
However, the court also imposed a N5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating an earlier restraining order that prohibited all parties from making public comments on the ongoing legal matter. She was ordered to publish a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days.
This ruling sets a significant precedent on the limits of legislative sanctions and underscores the judiciary’s role in protecting democratic representation and constitutional rights in Nigeria.
