Kogi Central’s Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Set to Resume Senate Duties After Court Victory
Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has announced that she will resume her legislative duties in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, following a landmark judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja. The court ruled her six-month suspension as unconstitutional, restoring her position and affirming the rights of her constituents in Kogi Central.
In a video message shared on social media over the weekend, Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed gratitude to her supporters and celebrated the court's decision.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today.
We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” she said.
Court Declares Suspension Unconstitutional
On Friday, July 5, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako delivered a ruling that described the Senate’s suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of her constituents’ right to representation. The court ordered her immediate reinstatement, stating that the legislative process used to suspend her lacked proper legal backing.
Justice Nyako stressed that lawmakers are constitutionally required to attend a minimum of 181 sittings per legislative year, warning that arbitrary suspensions without due process threaten democratic principles.
Court Fines Senator Over Facebook Post
While the court reinstated the senator, it also found her guilty of contempt. A Facebook post she made seen as a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio was ruled to have breached an earlier court injunction prohibiting public commentary on the ongoing case.
As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan was fined ₦5 million for violating the court’s March 4, 2025 order.
Background of the Suspension
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate in March 2025 following a contentious and chaotic plenary session involving disputes over chamber seating arrangements. The controversy escalated when she publicly accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment during a televised interview further intensifying political tensions.
Court Urges Senate to Review Disciplinary Procedures
In her ruling, Justice Nyako criticized the Senate’s disciplinary framework, urging the National Assembly to revise its internal regulations to align with constitutional standards and ensure due process.
She emphasized that extended suspensions not only harm individual lawmakers but also rob constituents of representation, ultimately undermining Nigeria’s democratic governance.
What’s Next for Kogi Central?
With Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return, constituents in Kogi Central can expect renewed representation in the Red Chamber. Her reinstatement sets a legal precedent for the limits of legislative suspension and underscores the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democratic rights.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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