Suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has vowed to resume her legislative duties in the Senate on Tuesday, following a court ruling in her favor.
In a video circulating on social media, the senator addressed her jubilant supporters, expressing gratitude for their support and celebrating the court victory.
“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 declared.
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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, nullified the six-month suspension placed on Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate. The court deemed the suspension excessive, unconstitutional, and a violation of the rights of her constituents.
Justice Binta Nyako, who presided over the case, ruled that the Senate must recall the senator. However, the court also fined her N5 million for contempt over a Facebook post that violated an earlier court order.
The post, published on April 27, was a satirical apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. It was considered a breach of the interim injunction issued on March 4, 2025, which barred all parties from making public comments related to the ongoing suit.
Though Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argued that the post was unrelated to the suspension case and was instead about her personal allegations against Akpabio, the court disagreed. Justice Nyako ruled that the post was directly linked to the case and amounted to a deliberate violation of court orders.
As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan was ordered to issue a public apology within seven days. The apology must be published in two national newspapers and reposted on her Facebook page.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had been suspended in March following a chaotic Senate session where she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, an incident that drew widespread condemnation from civil society and human rights groups.
In response, she filed a lawsuit challenging the suspension, describing it as an orchestrated attempt to silence her and deny her constituents representation.
FTN
