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23 hours ago
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- A Federal High Court ruled Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension was excessive and deprived Kogi Central of representation
- The Senate said she won't beryllium reinstated until she publishes a court-ordered apology and pays a ₦5 cardinal good for contempt
- Senate ineligible counsel insisted the judgement affirms its close to subject members, noting the tribunal gave nary binding bid for reinstatement
FCT, Abuja - The Nigerian Senate has stated it volition not instantly reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan pursuing a Federal High Court verdict nullifying her six-month suspension.
Justice Binta Nyako, who delivered the ruling connected Friday, July 5, described the suspension arsenic excessive and ruled that it deprived the people of Kogi Central their law close to representation.
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng reported that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March 2025 for alleged gross misconduct aft a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Tensions escalated erstwhile the legislator accused Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting his alleged intersexual advances, an accusation helium denied.
The tribunal ruled that portion the Senate has powers to subject members, it indispensable not infringe connected citizens’ practice rights.
Justice Nyako criticised the Senate’s Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, for lacking a wide bounds connected suspension duration.
Contempt ruling and good for Akpoti-Uduaghan
Despite ruling successful her favour connected the suspension, the tribunal recovered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan blameworthy of contempt. This stemmed from a satirical apology she posted connected Facebook connected 27 April, which the tribunal linked to the ongoing case.
Justice Nyako ordered the legislator to people a ceremonial apology successful 2 nationalist newspapers and connected Facebook wrong 7 days. She besides imposed a ₦5 cardinal fine, Punch reported.
Senate says reinstatement depends connected compliance
Reacting to the ruling, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said Akpoti-Uduaghan would not beryllium reinstated until she complies afloat with the court’s directives.
“The tribunal hasn’t taken distant the Senate’s close to subject members,” Adaramodu noted.He added:
“It’s present up to her to apologise arsenic directed. Once she does that, the Senate volition beryllium and find the adjacent steps.”He emphasised that the Senate volition measure the contented of the apology earlier making a last decision, arsenic reported by Leadership.
Legal counsel says ruling validates Senate's powers
Source: UGC
The Senate counsel Paul Dauda, SAN, called the court’s determination a partial victory.
He pointed retired that the tribunal upheld the Senate’s authorization to subject its members and penalised Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt.
“There was nary nonstop bid for reinstatement. The justice lone remarked that the suspension mightiness person been excessive, but it was not a binding order. We’ll reappraisal the afloat judgement and respond accordingly," Dauda clarified.Court grants Natasha bail connected FG’s caller complaint
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was granted bail successful a lawsuit involving her and the Bola Tinubu-led national government.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned successful the Federal High Court successful Abuja connected Monday, arsenic the national authorities slammed caller charges against her.
Natasha was suspended for six months from the Senate and was accused of making mendacious assassination claims against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and ex-Kogi politician Yahaya Bello.
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Source: Legit.ng
