The Nigerian Senate has responded to the Federal High Court ruling that nullified the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by setting specific conditions for her reinstatement. The court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, declared the suspension “excessive” and ordered the Senate to reinstate the Kogi Central lawmaker, emphasizing that the suspension deprived her constituents of representation for nearly 180 days.
The suspension originated in March after Akpoti-Uduaghan clashed with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements and later accused him publicly of sexual harassment, an allegation Akpabio denied. The Senate had suspended her for alleged gross misconduct.
Justice Nyako faulted the Senate’s Standing Rules and the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act for lacking a specified maximum suspension period, ruling that while the Senate can discipline members, such sanctions must not infringe on constituents’ constitutional right to representation. The judge stated, “The court is not saying that the Senate lacks the power to sanction a member. However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament.”
However, the court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a satirical apology she posted on Facebook and ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her social media within seven days, alongside a fine of N5 million.
In reaction, Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the Senate would not immediately reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, noting that the court judgment did not override the Senate’s constitutional disciplinary powers. He explained that the senator must first comply with the court’s directives before the Senate considers her reinstatement.
Adaramodu said, “The onus is no more on us now; it is already on her doorstep to go and apologise. Once she does that, then the Senate will sit and determine how to deal with her matter.”
Senate counsel Paul Dauda, SAN, described the ruling as a partial victory for the Senate, especially regarding the contempt ruling linked to social media posts. He added that the court did not explicitly order the lifting of the suspension but merely suggested it might have been excessive.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar commended Justice Nyako for her courage in lifting the suspension and praised Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for seeking legal redress, stating, “No price should be too high to pay in the pursuit of justice and the assertion of one’s rights.”
Okay.ng reports that this legal battle highlights the tension between legislative disciplinary powers and constitutional rights of representation, underscoring the importance of judicial oversight in legislative affairs.
