July 4, 2025
In a judgment delivered on Friday, July 4, 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Nigerian Senate acted beyond its constitutional powers by suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan for six months. The court has ordered her immediate reinstatement, describing the suspension as “excessive” and lacking a valid legal foundation.
Presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako, held that while the Senate retains the authority to discipline its members, it must do so within reasonable limits and with full regard for the democratic principle of representation.
“The Senate’s action effectively silenced the voice of an entire constituency,” Justice Nyako said. “This is not only undemocratic, it is unconstitutional.”
The court’s ruling pointed out that both Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act do not define any clear maximum duration for suspensions. The six month suspension handed to Senator Akpoti Uduaghan, the judge noted, was tantamount to sidelining her constituency for nearly the entire legislative year, during which lawmakers are only constitutionally required to sit for 181 days.
In a partial win for Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the court upheld his decision to deny Akpoti Uduaghan the floor during a recent plenary session because she was not seated in her designated chair. The court found no violation of her rights in that instance.
However, Justice Nyako dismissed Akpabio’s broader claim that the judiciary had no jurisdiction to intervene in the Senate’s internal matters.
“Where the rights of citizens, including the right to representation, are threatened, the courts have both the authority and the responsibility to intervene,” Nyako ruled.
In a twist, the court imposed a N5million monetary fine on Senator Akpoti Uduaghan for contempt, citing her breach of a previous court order that prohibited both parties from making public statements about the case while it was ongoing.
The Senate is now legally bound to reinstate Senator Akpoti Uduaghan immediately.
