The Digest:
The Nigerian Senate has stated it will not reinstate suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan until she complies with a Federal High Court order mandating a public apology. Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, confirmed this stance, asserting the Senate's disciplinary powers remain intact despite the court's ruling.
Key Points
- Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) was suspended for six months in March over alleged gross misconduct following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
- The dispute escalated after Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of sexual harassment on national television and in a petition, which the Senate President denied.
- Challenging her suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed suit FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025.
- Justice Nyako ruled that while the Senate has disciplinary authority, such actions must not deprive constituents of representation, faulting parts of the Senate Standing Rules for not defining a maximum suspension period.
- The court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt for a satirical apology posted on Facebook in April.
- She was ordered to publish a proper apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days, and fined N5 million.
- Senate spokesperson Adaramodu confirmed that the onus is now on Akpoti-Uduaghan to comply with the court's directives before the Senate takes further action on her reinstatement.
- The Senate's counsel, Paul Dauda, SAN, described the ruling as a "partial victory" for the Senate, particularly concerning the contempt finding against Akpoti-Uduaghan's social media posts.
Sources: Channels TV
