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Breaking News: Court Nullifies Suspension: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to Resume Senate Duties Tuesday
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, is set to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday after the Federal High Court in Abuja declared her six-month suspension from the Senate unconstitutional and excessive.
The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Binta Nyako on Friday, marked a significant victory for the embattled lawmaker. In a viral video shared on social media shortly after the verdict, Akpoti-Uduaghan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, expressed gratitude to her supporters.
“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, smiling as a crowd of jubilant supporters surrounded her.
Justice Nyako ruled that the March suspension not only violated Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constitutional rights but also deprived her constituents of representation in the upper legislative chamber. The judge emphasized that all legislative bodies must operate within the confines of the Constitution.
Despite the court’s ruling in her favour, the senator was not entirely let off the hook. Justice Nyako fined Akpoti-Uduaghan ₦5 million for contempt of court over a Facebook post she made during the trial. The post, a sarcastic “apology” directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was deemed to have violated an existing court order barring public commentary on the matter.
The controversy began in March during a heated Senate plenary session where Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, sparking a political uproar that led to her suspension.
With the court’s latest decision, Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to return to the Red Chamber this week.