Senator Natasha: I will Resume My Legislative Duties In The Senate Tomorrow

Senator Natasha: I will Resume My Legislative Duties In The Senate Tomorrow

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has announced that she will resume her legislative duties in the Senate on Tuesday. Her statement comes in the wake of a Federal High Court ruling that described her six-month suspension as excessive.

On March 6, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months over what it described as “gross misconduct.” The action followed the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The report stemmed from an altercation between the Kogi senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. In response to her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging the legality and length of the disciplinary action.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako upheld the Senate’s constitutional authority to discipline its members, including the power to impose suspensions. However, she faulted the duration of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, calling it “overreaching” and “excessive.” The judge explained that although the Senate has disciplinary powers, its internal rules do not specify a maximum suspension period. She stressed that such ambiguity should not be used to effectively shut down a senator’s legislative function for nearly an entire session.

Justice Nyako pointed out that Nigerian lawmakers are constitutionally mandated to sit for at least 181 days in a legislative session. As such, a six-month suspension amounts to denying a senator the ability to fulfill that constitutional requirement. This, she noted, not only affects the lawmaker but also disenfranchises the constituents who rely on their representative to present and defend their interests in the red chamber.

“A senator is expected to represent her people,” the judge emphasized. “I am of the view that the Senate has the power to amend that rule,” she added, suggesting that the upper chamber “can and should” reconsider and reinstate the suspended senator. However, while ruling in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s favor on the issue of excessive suspension, the court also penalized her. She was ordered to pay a N5 million fine for violating an earlier court order by publishing a satirical apology directed at the Senate President on her Facebook page.

In her reaction, Akpoti-Uduaghan hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and the people of Kogi Central. Speaking to her supporters, she expressed gratitude for their unwavering support and confirmed her planned return to the Senate. “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.