Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, has announced her intention to return to the Senate on Tuesday following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her suspension.
The announcement was made in a video she shared on social media, which began trending on Sunday.
“I am grateful for your unwavering support. I am happy to inform you that we have secured victory today,” she said. “By the grace of God, we shall resume at the Senate on Tuesday.”
Her return follows a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court ruled that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Senate was unconstitutional, excessive, and an infringement on the rights of her constituents to adequate representation.
Justice Nyako declared that the suspension lacked constitutional justification and ordered her immediate reinstatement.
The judge emphasised that legislative suspensions must comply with constitutional procedures, particularly since lawmakers are mandated to participate in no fewer than 181 sitting days in a legislative year.
Prolonged suspensions, she warned, not only violate the principles of fair representation but also pose a threat to democratic governance.
The court also criticised the Senate’s internal disciplinary processes, calling on the National Assembly to revise its rules to better align with constitutional standards and uphold the right to a fair hearing.
However, while ruling in favour of her reinstatement, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt over a Facebook post described as a satirical apology directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The post, according to the court, violated an interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025, which prohibited parties from making public or social media commentary on the ongoing legal proceedings concerning her suspension.
As a result, Justice Nyako imposed a ₦5 million fine on the senator for breaching the court’s order.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had been suspended in March 2025 after a chaotic Senate plenary session that turned contentious over disputes related to seating arrangements.
The controversy escalated further when, shortly after the suspension, she publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment during a live television interview.
Despite the court’s censure over her conduct on social media, Friday’s ruling ultimately vindicated her claim that the suspension was unjust.
The decision marks a significant development in legislative accountability and reaffirms the judiciary’s role in safeguarding constitutional rights.
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