No Immediate Reinstatement for Natasha, Insists Senate

The Nigerian Senate has announced that it will not immediately reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan despite a Federal High Court judgment nullifying her six-month suspension.

According to Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, the court ruling did not override the Senate’s constitutional powers to discipline its members.

The court, under trial Justice Binta Nyako, described the suspension as “excessive” and a violation of the constitutional rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to representation.

However, the court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for violating a previous gag order and ordered her to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days, alongside a fine of N5 million.

Adaramodu stated that the Senate expects Akpoti-Uduaghan to comply with the court’s directives, including making restitution, before the Senate considers her reinstatement.

“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,” Adaramodu said.

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has urged civil society organizations to exercise restraint and allow due process to take its full course, respecting the rule of law and avoiding actions that could undermine judicial and legislative institutions.

The development follows a protracted feud between Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who denied allegations of sexual harassment made by the senator.

The court’s decision highlights the tension between legislative disciplinary powers and constitutional rights of representation, underscoring the importance of judicial oversight in legislative affairs.