In a ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja declared the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate as an overreach of its powers, mandating her immediate reinstatement to the National Assembly. Justice Binta Nyako emphasized that the duration of the suspension lacked a legal basis and was “excessive.”

The court clarified that existing legislative guidelines do not specify a maximum suspension period, thus rendering the Senate’s action unconstitutional. Justice Nyako pointed out that such a lengthy suspension effectively silences the representative voice of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituency, which the law does not permit. “While the Senate has the authority to discipline its members, such sanctions must not go so far as to deny constituents their right to representation,” she asserted.

In a separate matter, however, the court ruled in favor of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stating that his decision to prevent Akpoti-Uduaghan from speaking during a plenary session due to her absence from her designated seat did not infringe upon her rights.

Justice Nyako also addressed an incident involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was found guilty of contempt over a satirical Facebook post made on April 27, which allegedly violated a court order prohibiting comments related to her suspension case. Despite her defense that the post referenced different issues, the judge linked it to the suspension and imposed a fine of N5 million, along with a directive for her to publish an apology in two national newspapers and on her social media platforms within a week.

This ruling underscores the balance of power between the legislature and the judiciary and asserts the importance of representation in the Nigerian political landscape.