…Fines her ₦5m for civil contempt
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the immediate recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to resume her legislative duties at the 10th National Assembly, declaring her six-month suspension by the Senate as excessive and unconstitutional.
Delivering judgment yesterday, the court held that the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), violated Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which limits any legislative suspension to a maximum of 14 days.
The lawmaker was controversially suspended on March 6, 2025, after being accused of misconduct during plenary—allegedly refusing to sit where she was assigned, speaking without recognition, and making “unsubstantiated” allegations during a heated debate. Her suspension followed her petition accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an allegation the Senate dismissed before turning disciplinary measures against her.
Following her suspension, the Senate leadership sealed her office, froze her entitlements, withdrew her security personnel, and revoked her access to the National Assembly complex – actions now overturned by the court’s ruling.
However, in a related decision, the same court found Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of civil contempt and fined her ₦5 million for violating a restraining order on making further public accusations against Akpabio. The court ruled that her recent outburst on the matter breached the terms of an earlier order requiring her to retract and apologise.
The court ordered the senator to publish a public apology in The Guardian and Punch newspapers and on her verified Facebook page within seven days. It warned that failure to comply could lead to further legal action.
While the ruling restores Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat in the Senate, it also reaffirms the court’s expectation that she visibly correct her previous statements and comply fully with its directives.
