Senate overreach powers to suspend Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, should be recalled- Court

Barely four months after a six months suspension was slammed against Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Federal High Court described the action as excessive and overreach and urged the red Chamber to recall her immediately.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja presiding over the matter on Friday delivered judgement, saying suspension can’t be imposed on the lawmaker in a manner they did.

The judge faulted the provision in Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules, as well as Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers, and Privileges Act, declaring both to be overreaching.

CAPITAL POST recalled that Akpoti-Uduaghan wws suspended from the Chamber on March 5, 2025.

However, the Court maintained that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was right to have denied Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from speaking, having not sat on official properly, adding that she should apologise to the Senate.

The judge faulted the two pieces of legislation that dealt with suspension without maximum period.

It was further averred that the six months suspension would amount to 180 days since the lawmakers have a total of 181 days to sit in every legislative cycle. This is not acceptable as it will rob her constituents of responsibilities to them.

“Senate could punish any erring member, but such sanction should fall within the ambit of law and to deprive the constituents of their right to be represented.”

Justice Nyako threw out Godswill Akpabio’s lawsuit challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the suit.

Earlier in the ruling, the court imposed a ₦5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating its order, which barred the parties from making public statements about the subject matter of the suit.

It further ordered her to publish an apology within seven days in two national dailies.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also facing two separate cases of cybercrime and defamation in two separate courts in the

The protracted feud between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan reached a climax on Thursday, March 6, 2025, when the Senate wielded its authority and suspended the Kogi Central Senator who had accused the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office, following a seat arrangement conflict on February 20, 2025.

Akpabio denied the sexual harassment allegations against him by the Kogi lawmaker.

The female senator also slammed a N100bn alleged defamation suit on him while the Akpabio-led upper legislative chamber referred her to the Senate disciplinary committee.