Victor EzejaThe Nigerian Senate has said it will not lift the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until she fulfills certain conditions.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Friday ruled against the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, describing it as excessive.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSenator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March over alleged gross misconduct. This followed a controversy between her and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, over sitting arrangement in the upper chamber.
The Kogi lawmaker, thereafter, during an appearance on national television, accused Akpabio of punishing her for refusing his alleged sexual advances on her.
She subsequently submitted a formal petition to the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee, claiming that Akpabio had sexually harassed her. The Senate President subsequently refuted the claim.
The Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee later recommended the Kogi lawmaker’s suspension on the grounds of gross misconduct during sitting.
Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging her suspension by the Senate.
While delivering judgment in the suit on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako faulted the provision of Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules as well as Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act, declaring both as overreaching.
The judge pointed out that neither of the two laws specified a maximum period for which a sitting lawmaker could be removed from office.
The court stated that the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was equivalent to removing her from her duties to her constituents for approximately 180 days, as lawmakers are allowed to sit in each legislative cycle for a total of 181 days.
While acknowledging that the Senate can punish any lawmaker who commits an error, the court held that the severity of the punishment cannot be such that it denies the constituents their right to representation.
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However, because Akpoti-Uduaghan posted a satirical apology on her Facebook page on April 27, the court found her guilty of contempt.
Justice Nyako found the plaintiff guilty of contempt after examining the post and the application that the third respondent had brought before her. She was convinced that the post was related to the court’s suspension issue.
The judge gave Akpoti-Uduaghan seven days to apologize on her Facebook page and in two national dailies. She also imposed a N5 million fine.
Responding, the Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, said the senator would not be reinstated right away by the Red Chamber.
According to Adaramodu, the court ruling did not supersede the Senate’s constitutional authority to punish its members.
He said the Senate would reconvene and deliberate on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement after she has complied with the directives of the court to publish a public apology on national dailies and her social media handles.
“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.
“The first reaction now will not be from us, the court has ruled, so once she takes the step to redress and does what the court has directed her to do, then the Senate will sit and look at the content of her reaction as prescribed by the court,” Adaramodu stated.
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan wrote on her social media handles: “Illegal & Unconstitutional Suspension QUASHED. THANK YOU great people for your SUPPORT: Together… We Redefine Leadership.”
Former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, congratulated the embattled lawmaker for the outcome of the matter in court.
Dr Ezekwesili, who has been consistent in voicing her support for Akpoti-Uduaghan since the controversy erupted about three months ago, condemned what she termed as injustice against the lawmaker, adding that it reflects the ordeals of women who dare to challenge the excesses of those in the corridors of power.
She said the outcome of the court judgment reminds her of the words uttered by Akpoti-Uduaghan on the floor of the Senate on the day she was suspended, that “This Injustice will not be Sustained.”
She hailed the embattled senator for her strength and courage in fighting for her rights despite the level of tension.
“Thanks for modeling the strength of will that Citizens in a Democracy must possess to push back on abuse of power by those who occupy public positions,” Ezekwesili stated via her official X handle on Friday.
She called on the Senate to comply with the court judgment and immediately reinstate Natasha “Now the @NGRSenate should swiftly right the wrong and injustice done them,” she stated.
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Meanwhile, the court has received commendations for the ruling on the matter.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar applauded Justice Nyako for lifting the suspension of Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Atiku also hailed the lawmaker for challenging the illegality of her suspension.
“I commend Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for the courage in lifting the obnoxious suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central). I also hail Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan for challenging the illegality of her suspension by not sleeping on her rights in a chamber where women are already vulnerable. There’s no price that is too great in asserting one’s rights,” Atiku stated via his X handle on Friday.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
