Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Suspension

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the six-month suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan by the Senate.

Justice James Omotosho threw out the suit on Friday, October 3, on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked the necessary locus standi (legal authority) to institute the action.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others.

They sought to challenge the legality of the suspension, arguing that their Senatorial District would be underrepresented in the Senate as a result.

However, Justice Omotosho held that the 10 plaintiffs could not bring the case before the court and subsequently dismissed the suit for lack of merit.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following allegations of insubordination after she rejected a change to her designated seat during plenary.

The suspension, based on recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, resulted in her being stripped of her aides, office privileges, and salary for the duration.

The lawmaker had previously claimed her suspension was linked to a petition she filed accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, an accusation the Senate has consistently rejected.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension expired, and her office was unsealed on Tuesday, September 23.

The suspension, based on recommendations from the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, resulted in her being stripped of her aides, office privileges, and salary for the duration.