Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is set to return to the National Assembly on Tuesday, following a landmark ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja that declared her six-month suspension by the Senate unconstitutional and excessive.
In a video message shared on social media over the weekend, which quickly gained traction, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed gratitude to her supporters and confirmed her imminent return to legislative duties.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today,” she said. “We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God.”
The announcement came in the wake of Friday’s court judgment delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, who ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension violated constitutional provisions and denied the people of Kogi Central their right to representation.
Justice Nyako emphasized that lawmakers cannot be arbitrarily suspended without following due process, noting that the Nigerian Constitution mandates lawmakers to participate in at least 181 sitting days per legislative year. She warned that lengthy suspensions without legal justification undermine the democratic process.
The Senate had suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan in March 2025 after a chaotic plenary session, reportedly triggered by a dispute over seating arrangements. The incident escalated days later when the senator accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview—an allegation that further fueled tensions within the chamber.
While the court ordered her immediate reinstatement, it also found Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt for a satirical Facebook post she published during the legal proceedings. The post, which mocked an apology to Senate President Akpabio, was found to have breached a March 4 interim injunction barring public commentary on the case.
As a result, Justice Nyako fined the senator ₦5 million for violating the court’s order, but stressed that the punishment did not negate her fundamental right to represent her constituents.
The ruling also included a stern rebuke of the Senate’s internal disciplinary procedures. Justice Nyako urged the National Assembly to reform its rules to align with constitutional guarantees of fair hearing and proportional disciplinary actions.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return marks a significant victory for legislative accountability and underscores the judiciary’s role in checking excesses within the democratic process. As she prepares to resume duties in the Red Chamber, attention is now focused on how the Senate will respond to the court’s directive—and whether internal reforms will follow.
