The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Senate to recall Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, back for her legislative duties, describing her six-month suspension as “excessive.”
Justice Binta Nyako, in a judgment, also awarded a fine of N5 million against the Akpoti-Uduaghan for her “Satirical Apology” message which she posted on her Facebook page on April 27 in disobedience of the valid order of the court.
Justice Nyako, therefore, ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days of the order before she can purge herself of the contemptuous act against the court.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the lawmaker had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 and filed on March 3, dragged the clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate; the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to court.
Equally joined in the suit seeking court order to stop them from sanctioning her over her alleged misconduct was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Public Petitions and Privileges, Sen. Neda Imasuen.
Respect court judgment on Natasha’s recall, CSO urges Senate
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), Faith Nwadishi, has urged the Senate to respect the Federal High Court judgment ordering it to recall the suspended Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi).
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the upper chamber on March 6 over alleged violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
However, the court, on Friday, ordered the senate to recall the Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, back to her legislative duties.
Justice Binta Nyako, in her judgment, described the six-month suspension slammed on the lawmaker by the senate as ‘excessive’.
Reacting to the judgment, Nwadishi said: “Since it is a court pronouncement, I expect the senate to respect the judgment because there’s nobody who is above the law.
“The court is there, more like an arbiter; that is, the middle institution, to help to settle issues.
“So, I’m also happy that the court has taken that decision that they should recall her.
“In my opinion, I don’t think that this matter should have gone for as long as it went. I just ask that the leadership of the senate should quickly obey that court judgment,” she said.
Nyako, in the judgment, also awarded a fine of N5 million against Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The fine, she said, was for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “satirical apology” message which she posted on her Facebook page on April 27, in disobedience of the valid order of the court.
The judge, therefore, ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days of the order before she could purge herself of the contemptuous act against the court.
Court judgment recalling Akpoti-Uduaghan victory for legislative independence – CUPP
Similarly, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) described the court judgment ordering the Senate to recall the suspended Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a victory for legislative independence.
National Secretary of CUPP, Mr Peter Ameh, made this known while speaking with NAN in Abuja on Friday.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the upper chamber on March 6 over alleged violation of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended).
However, the court, on Friday, ordered the senate to recall the Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, back to her legislative duties.
Reacting to the judgment, Ameh said that the coalition, “jubilantly welcomes the historic court ruling, mandating the senate to immediately recall the unjustly-suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“This monumental victory is not merely a personal vindication for Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan but a resounding triumph for legislative independence.
“It is a beacon of hope forged in unyielding courage and a powerful rebuke of the tactics employed by the senate leadership,” he said.
According to Ameh, the court pronouncement will serve as an unequivocal end to what he called the senate’s recklessness threatening to erode the foundation of the country.
“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and salute all patriotic Nigerians who boldly spoke out,” he said.