Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal representatives have officially served the leadership of the National Assembly with a certified true copy of a Federal High Court judgment directing her immediate reinstatement to the Senate.
This development follows the landmark ruling delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday, July 4, 2025. The court, presided over by Hon. Justice B.F.M.
Nyako, issued a comprehensive judgment in favour of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in a suit she filed against the leadership of the National Assembly over the denial of her right to represent her constituency.
The judgment addressed issues concerning legislative privileges, constitutional rights, the suspension of a senator, and compliance with Senate procedures.
The case, filed as Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, named the following as defendants:
1. The Clerk of the National Assembly,
2. The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
3. The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio,
4. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, Senator Neda Imasuen.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was represented by a formidable legal team led by Michael Jonathan Numa, SAN, with support from Aja Nwani Aja, Esq., Victor Giwa, Esq., Teejaani Jimoh, Esq., and Queen M. Jim-Ogbolo, Esq.
The 1st Defendant was represented by Charles Yoila, Esq., while various other counsels, including Paul Babatunde Daudu, SAN, Eko Ejembi Eko, SAN, and Valentine Offia, Esq., appeared for the remaining defendants.
Highlights of the Court’s Orders and Findings:
The court set aside all prior orders and pending applications, except the Originating Summons, Preliminary Objections, and the Motion for Interlocutory Injunction, which will now be determined collectively.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was found to have breached a subsisting court order. As a result, the court ordered her to: Pay a ₦5 million fine into the Federal Government Treasury, and Issue a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days.
The court agreed with aspects of the defendants’ objections, holding that anticipated breaches of fundamental rights can justify preemptive legal action.
The plaintiff’s application for an interlocutory injunction, which mirrored the main claims in the originating summons, was merged into the primary case and will be considered alongside it.
The court interpreted Orders 9, 10, and 11 of the Senate Rules and affirmed that they govern privileges accruing to senators.
It was ruled that a senator may only raise issues of privilege after complying with Chapter 3, Order 6 of the Senate Rules. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had not met this requirement.
The court declared that the Senate Rules are superior to the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, referencing Section 20.
The Senate President was affirmed to have full discretion under Order 6 to allocate or reallocate seats to senators without restriction.
As the plaintiff was not assigned a seat and had not fulfilled procedural obligations, the court ruled that the 2nd and 3rd defendants were not permitted to act on her matter until compliance was achieved.
The court condemned the six-month suspension (equal to 180 sitting days) imposed on the senator, deeming it excessive, punitive, and in breach of Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees constituents continuous representation.
The court asserted its constitutional authority to review and invalidate provisions of the Senate Rules and even Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses Act if they are found to be overreaching.
Ultimately, the court held that the Senate has the power to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and directed that she be allowed to resume her legislative duties, in line with the mandate given to her by her constituents.
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