A recent judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate as unconstitutional. The court found that the Senate had acted beyond its lawful authority in suspending the senator, with Justice Binta Nyako describing the move as both “excessive” and lacking clear legal support.
In her ruling, the court emphasized that neither the Senate Standing Orders nor the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act specifies a duration for suspending a lawmaker. As a result, it was concluded that the Senate overstepped its bounds by sidelining Akpoti-Uduaghan for nearly an entire legislative year—effectively denying her constituents representation.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan outside the court after a legal ruling in her favor.
Justice Nyako reiterated that while the legislative body has the power to discipline its members, such measures must not infringe on constitutional rights or silence an entire constituency.
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Additionally, the court addressed a related case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. It upheld his decision to deny Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak for not being in her designated seat, ruling that the action did not amount to a rights violation. However, they dismissed Akpabio’s claim that the judiciary should avoid involvement in legislative matters, stating that issues of fundamental rights and representation fall within its purview.
In a separate decision, they imposed a fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan.
A recent judgment from the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Nigerian Senate as unconstitutional. It was found that the Senate had acted beyond its lawful authority in suspending the senator, with Justice Binta Nyako describing the move as both “excessive” and lacking clear legal support.
In her ruling, the court emphasized that neither the Senate Standing Orders nor the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act specifies a duration for suspending a lawmaker. As a result, the court concluded that the Senate overstepped its bounds by sidelining Akpoti-Uduaghan for nearly an entire legislative year—effectively denying her constituents representation.
Justice Nyako reiterated that while the legislative body has the power to discipline its members, such measures must not infringe on constitutional rights or silence an entire constituency.
Additionally, the court addressed a related case involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio. It upheld his decision to deny Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak for not being in her designated seat, ruling that the action did not amount to a rights violation. However, the court dismissed Akpabio’s claim that the judiciary should avoid involvement in legislative matters, stating that issues of fundamental rights and representation fall within its purview.
