NIGERIA: Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan To Resume Duties Following Court-Ordered Reinstatement

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is set to resume legislative duties in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, after a Federal High Court in Abuja declared her six-month suspension unconstitutional and ordered her immediate reinstatement.

The lawmaker, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, announced in a video shared on social media on Sunday.

She said: “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.”

Her return follows a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Binta Nyako, who ruled that the Senate acted outside its constitutional authority in suspending her in March 2025. The court described the suspension as excessive and a violation of the rights of the people of Kogi Central to be represented in the National Assembly.

Justice Nyako emphasized that the constitution mandates lawmakers to attend at least 181 sitting days in a legislative year, and warned that long suspensions, especially without due process, are detrimental to representative democracy.

However, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt for a Facebook post made during the legal proceedings. The post, described as a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was deemed to have violated an interim court order prohibiting public commentary on the case. As a result, the court imposed a fine of ₦5 million on the senator.

Recall that Africa Culture TV reported that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended following a controversial and rowdy Senate session involving a dispute over seating arrangements. The political crisis escalated days later when she publicly accused the Senate President of sexual harassment during a live television interview, an allegation that added fuel to the unfolding controversy.

In her ruling, Justice Nyako called on the National Assembly to review its internal disciplinary mechanisms to ensure they conform to the principles of fair hearing and constitutional governance.