The Senate has said it will not immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, despite a Federal High Court ruling faulting her suspension. Speaking on behalf of the Red Chamber, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, insisted that Akpoti-Uduaghan must comply with the court’s directive to apologise before the Senate can deliberate on her return.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March 2025 for alleged gross misconduct following a heated confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The confrontation escalated after she accused Akpabio on national television of victimising her for rejecting his alleged sexual advances—a claim Akpabio has denied. In response, the senator filed a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025) challenging her suspension.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nyako ruled that the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act were “overreaching” because they did not specify the maximum duration for suspending a lawmaker. She stressed that the Senate’s six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, nearly matching the constitutionally required 181 sitting days in a legislative year, effectively deprived her constituents of representation.
“The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament,” Justice Nyako ruled.
While affirming the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, Justice Nyako found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a satirical apology she posted on her Facebook page on April 27, calling it a violation of the court’s process.
Justice Nyako ordered the senator to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days and fined her N5 million.
In reaction, Senator Adaramodu told reporters that the Senate would not appeal the judgment, since it did not strip the Senate of its disciplinary powers.
“Which judgment are we appealing when they (court) said the Senate has the right to discipline its erring members?” he asked.
“The court has not ousted the Senate’s statutory right to punish any erring senator.
“It was established that the senator in question erred. The court has already told her to go and do some things, like restitution, so after the restitution, the Senate will now sit again and consider the content of that restitution, and that will inform our next line of action.”
He made it clear that the Senate’s next move depends on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s compliance with the court’s orders.
“The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.
“The first reaction now will not be from us. The court has ruled, so once she takes the step to redress and does what the court has directed her to do, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court,” Adaramodu stated.
Also addressing journalists, Counsel to the Senate, Paul Dauda, SAN, described the outcome as a “partial victory” for the Senate, particularly on the contempt issue.
“The first application filed by the Senate, that no social media posts should have been made, was decided in our favour. The court directed that the satirical apology be taken down and that a proper apology be published in two national dailies. Additionally, damages of N5million were awarded to be paid to the court,” he said.
Dauda emphasised that the court did not overturn the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
“There was no relief asking for the suspension to be lifted. The judge only made what we call an obiter dictum, a non-binding remark, that the suspension may have been excessive. We will consult with our colleagues, read the full judgment, and respond accordingly,” he concluded.
