Following a court ruling that nullified the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Nigerian Senate has outlined conditions she must meet before being reinstated.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, on Friday declared the Senate’s six-month suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan as unconstitutional, excessive, and a violation of her constituents’ right to representation. The court also advised the Senate to revise its disciplinary rules.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had taken legal action against the Senate, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Neda Imasuen, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, challenging the legality of her suspension.
Despite the ruling, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said the Red Chamber will not immediately reinstate the lawmaker. He emphasized that while the court recognized the Senate’s disciplinary powers, it also outlined steps the senator must take before any further action is considered.
“The judgment acknowledged that the Senate can discipline its members. The senator in question was found to have erred, and the court has advised her to take certain steps, including making restitution,” Adaramodu said in an interview with *PUNCH*.
He added that once Senator Natasha complies with the court’s recommendations, including offering an apology, the Senate would reconvene to review her actions and decide on the way forward.
“The responsibility now lies with her. After she takes the necessary steps as directed by the court, the Senate will meet to consider the outcome of her actions,” he explained.
Speaking with journalists, Senate legal counsel Paul Dauda (SAN) described the court’s decision as a partial win for the Senate. He noted that the court agreed with the Senate’s stance regarding social media conduct during the proceedings, ordering Akpoti-Uduaghan to remove a satirical post and issue a formal apology in two national newspapers. The court also awarded N5 million in damages to be paid to the court.
Dauda further reiterated that the Senate’s right to discipline its members remains intact, even as the suspension ruling was overturned.
