Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Nigerian Senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was previously suspended for six months over allegations of gross misconduct.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Nyako ruled that the length of the suspension was disproportionate and effectively denied the people of Kogi Central proper representation. She urged the Senate to revisit and amend its disciplinary procedures.
The senator had instituted legal action against the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, its President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.
However, Justice Nyako also found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in contempt of court for a satirical apology she posted on Facebook on April 27, 2025. As a result, the court imposed a ₦5 million fine on her and directed that she publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within seven days, as well as on her Facebook page within two days.
The judge held that the senator’s post violated an earlier court order issued on April 4, which barred all parties from making public comments about the case.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 6 after allegedly breaching its standing rules. The suspension stemmed from her reported refusal to take her reassigned seat during plenary on February 20, 2025.
The court had originally scheduled judgment for June 27, but it was postponed to July 4.
This matter is separate from the ongoing cybercrime charges against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, for which she has been granted bail.
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