The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the entire Senate to immediately recall the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Justice Binta Nyako, delivering judgment on Friday, ruled that Senator Natasha’s six-month suspension was unconstitutional and violated the rights of her constituents to proper representation in the National Assembly.
The judge held that while the National Assembly has the power to discipline its members, any sanction must not be so excessive that it effectively silences the voice of an entire constituency.
“The suspension for six months is a clear breach of the Constitution and denies her constituents their right to representation,” Justice Nyako stated, noting that the duration also exceeded the maximum number of sitting days allowed under the law.
However, the court found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt for an unspecified action during the proceedings and imposed a fine of N5 million on her.
Justice Nyako further directed the senator to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page to purge herself of the contempt.
The ruling puts an end to weeks of legal battle following Natasha’s suspension by her colleagues, which sparked debates about legislative overreach and the right of Nigerians to full representation at all times.
