The Nigerian Senate is preparing for a tense confrontation today as Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, vows to return to plenary following a court judgment that nullified her six-month suspension. In a ruling delivered last Friday, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared the suspension illegal, excessive, and a violation of the rights of her constituents. The court ordered her immediate reinstatement, describing the Senate’s action as unconstitutional.
However, while the court cleared the path for her return, it also found Akpoti‑Uduaghan in contempt for breaching an earlier gag order. The violation stemmed from a satirical Facebook post dated April 27, in which she offered what the court described as a “mock apology” to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The judge ruled that the post was directly linked to the ongoing legal challenge and constituted a breach of the court’s March 4 injunction, which barred all parties from making public comments on the matter. As a result, Akpoti-Uduaghan was fined ₦5 million and ordered to issue a formal apology in two national newspapers and on social media.
Despite the ruling in her favor, the Senate has signaled that it will not immediately act on the judgment. In a statement released on Sunday, Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, noted that while Senate lawyers were present in court, the full judgment was not read aloud. The Senate has since applied to obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling to clarify the specifics of the order. Adaramodu added that until the CTC is reviewed, the Senate would refrain from taking any steps that might affect its legal position.
In a video message shared widely on social media, Akpoti-Uduaghan told her jubilant supporters, “I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God.” Her suspension in March followed a heated session in which she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment, a claim that sparked nationwide attention and prompted condemnation from civil society and human rights groups. Many viewed her suspension as a politically motivated effort to silence a dissenting voice in the chamber.
With Akpoti‑Uduaghan insisting on resuming her legislative duties and the Senate holding back pending formal review of the court judgment, a major showdown may unfold in the Red Chamber today. Whether she will be allowed to participate in plenary remains uncertain, especially as the Senate awaits full clarity on the court’s directives. In the meantime, all eyes are on the unfolding legal and political drama in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber.
