Court Orders Senate to Reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Imposes N5m Fine for Contempt
Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant ruling reported by Njenje Media News, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Nigerian Senate to immediately recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, whose six-month suspension was deemed excessive and unjustifiable.
The judge held that the prolonged suspension deprived the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District of democratic representation, stressing that the Senate’s disciplinary actions must be proportionate and fair. Justice Nyako further advised the National Assembly to revisit its internal rules regarding sanctions.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had dragged the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions—to court over her suspension.
However, the ruling was not without consequences for the embattled senator. The court found her guilty of contempt for a satirical Facebook post made on April 27, 2025, in which she appeared to mockingly apologise to the Senate.
As a result, Justice Nyako imposed a ₦5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and ordered her to issue a public apology in two national newspapers within seven days, and also republish the apology on her Facebook page within two days. The judge ruled that her online statement violated a prior court order dated April 4, 2025, which barred all parties from making public comments on the case.
Speaking to Njenje Media News shortly after the judgment, a legal analyst noted that while the reinstatement strengthens legislative accountability, the contempt ruling highlights the judiciary’s stance on respecting court orders.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was originally suspended on March 6, following allegations of gross misconduct. The Senate specifically cited her refusal to comply with seat reassignment during the plenary session of February 20 as a breach of its standing rules.
While Friday’s ruling resolves the suspension dispute, it does not affect a separate legal matter — the cybercrime case recently filed against the senator, for which she was granted bail.
The court had earlier scheduled judgment for June 27 but rescheduled it to July 4.
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