Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit filed to challenge the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Nigerian Senate, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to initiate the action.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, delivered the judgment on Friday, October 3, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, instituted by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others. The plaintiffs had sought to nullify the suspension on the grounds that it left their senatorial district without proper representation in the National Assembly for six months, thereby depriving them of their constitutional rights.
However, Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiffs did not possess the locus standi—the legal standing—to bring the suit before the court. According to the judge, only the affected senator herself, or an entity directly aggrieved, could challenge the disciplinary actions of the Senate in such a matter. Consequently, the case was dismissed for lack of merit.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6, 2025, following a resolution by the Senate based on recommendations from its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The committee had accused the senator of insubordination and misconduct during plenary after she reportedly refused to relocate from her assigned seat in the Senate chamber.
The suspension led to her being stripped of all legislative privileges, including access to her office, aides, and salary. During the period, her office was sealed, and her staff were disengaged in accordance with Senate disciplinary measures.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, maintained that her suspension was politically motivated, claiming it was connected to a petition she had earlier filed against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. In that petition, she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment—an allegation that the Senate leadership strongly denied, describing it as baseless and defamatory.
Her six-month suspension expired on September 23, after which her office was reopened, and her legislative privileges were reinstated. The development marked her official return to Senate duties, although she has yet to issue a formal response to the court’s ruling.
The case has stirred discussions about legislative accountability and the extent of the Senate’s disciplinary powers, with many observers calling for clearer boundaries between internal parliamentary procedures and the constitutional rights of elected representatives.
