Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi State, currently under a six-month suspension from the Nigerian Senate, has formally petitioned the Senate for immediate reinstatement. Her petition, dated July 11, 2025, follows a Federal High Court judgment that deemed her suspension “excessive and overreaching,” thereby violating her constitutional rights and those of her constituents to representation. The court proceedings, documented under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025, culminated in Justice Binta Nyako’s ruling on July 4, 2025. The judgment criticized the length of the suspension and its impact on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s ability to fulfill her constitutional duties as a legislator, as outlined in Section 63 of the 1999 Constitution.
The Senator’s legal team, M.J. Numa & Partners LLP, spearheaded by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Michael Jonathan Numa, addressed the petition to the Senate. The letter explicitly referenced the court’s findings and orders, emphasizing the judgment’s declaration that the six-month suspension was disproportionate and infringed upon the Senator’s constitutional mandate. The petition serves as a formal demand for the Senate to comply with the court’s judgment and take the necessary steps to facilitate Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return to the Senate chamber. It underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and respecting judicial pronouncements.
The legal team’s petition insists on prompt action by the Senate. They have explicitly requested the Senate to “give immediate effect” to the Federal High Court’s order, highlighting its binding nature. This request underlines the urgency of the situation and the Senator’s desire to resume her legislative responsibilities without further delay. Furthermore, the petition informs the Senate of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s intention to resume her legislative duties on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, demonstrating her commitment to serving her constituents and upholding her elected office.
While the court didn’t explicitly order the Senate to reverse the suspension, its judgment strongly urged the Senate to reconsider its decision. Justice Nyako’s ruling highlighted the violation of both the Constitution and the rights of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents to be represented in the Senate. This implicit directive within the judgment forms the basis of the Senator’s petition and strengthens her argument for immediate reinstatement. The court’s concern for the disenfranchisement of the Kogi constituents underscores the significance of representation in a democratic system.
The initial suspension stemmed from a motion brought against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan on March 6, 2025. The motion accused her of “unparliamentary conduct,” though the specifics of these accusations remain somewhat unclear in the context of the current petition. Following the suspension, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan initiated legal proceedings against the Senate President, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, the bodies responsible for initiating and implementing the disciplinary action. This legal challenge demonstrates the Senator’s determination to defend her rights and contest the validity of the suspension.
The ongoing situation underscores the complex relationship between the legislative and judicial branches of government in Nigeria. The court’s judgment, while not directly ordering reinstatement, exerts significant pressure on the Senate to reconsider its decision. The Senate’s response to this petition will be a crucial test of its respect for the judiciary and its commitment to upholding the rule of law. Furthermore, the case highlights the importance of due process and the right of elected officials to challenge disciplinary actions they believe to be unjust or excessive. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s fight for reinstatement has implications beyond her individual case, touching upon fundamental principles of democratic representation and the balance of power within the Nigerian government.
