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The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, has stated that suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan will not be reinstated until she complies with a Federal High Court order mandating a formal apology.
Reacting to the recent judgment, Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate retains its constitutional authority to discipline members and that the court’s decision does not override that power.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March for six months over alleged gross misconduct following a confrontation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio regarding seating arrangements. The dispute escalated when she publicly accused Akpabio of punishing her for rejecting alleged sexual advances, and later filed a formal petition accusing him of sexual harassment—an allegation Akpabio has denied.
She subsequently challenged her suspension in court, filing suit FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. In her ruling, Justice Binta Nyako questioned the legality of indefinite suspensions, noting that Chapter Eight of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act do not specify a maximum suspension duration. While affirming the Senate’s disciplinary powers, the judge stressed that such measures must not deprive constituents of representation.
“The court is not saying the Senate lacks power to sanction a member,” Justice Nyako said. “However, such sanctions must not negate the constitutional right of constituents to be represented in parliament.”
The court also found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for posting a satirical apology on Facebook on April 27. She was ordered to publish a proper apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days, and fined N5 million.
Senator Adaramodu said the Senate will not act until she complies. “The onus is now on her. Once she fulfils the court’s directive, the Senate will reconvene to review her compliance and decide on the next steps,” he stated.
“The court hasn’t invalidated our disciplinary powers. It even confirmed that the senator erred. What remains is for her to complete the restitution process.”
Also addressing journalists after the ruling, the Senate’s legal counsel, Paul Daudu, SAN, described the outcome as a partial victory for the Senate, particularly concerning the civil contempt ruling tied to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s social media conduct.
“Our application regarding her Facebook posts was granted,” Daudu said. “The satirical apology must be taken down, and a proper one published. The N5 million fine was awarded to the court.”
Daudu also clarified that the court did not explicitly order Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement. “There was no relief sought asking for her suspension to be lifted. The judge only offered an obiter dictum—a non-binding comment—that the suspension may have been excessive. We will study the full judgment before deciding on further action,” he added.
