The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Nigerian Senate to immediately recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
Justice Binta Nyako delivered the ruling on Friday, declaring the Senator’s six-month suspension excessive. The suspension was imposed earlier this year.
Justice Nyako found fault with the legal basis for the lengthy suspension. She specifically criticized Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act. The judge stated these provisions were overly broad because they failed to define a maximum allowable suspension period for a lawmaker.
The court noted that lawmakers have a total of 181 sitting days within a legislative circle. Justice Nyako ruled that a six-month suspension effectively barred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from fulfilling her duties to her constituents for approximately 180 days.
While affirming the Senate’s right to discipline its members for misconduct, Justice Nyako emphasized that any sanction must not be so severe as to completely deprive constituents of their representation.
The court also addressed a separate aspect of the case. It ruled that Senate President Godswill Akpabio acted correctly in denying Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during a plenary session because she was not seated in her officially assigned spot at the time.
Justice Nyako dismissed an argument by Senate President Akpabio that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case, rejecting his claim that it involved an internal Senate affair.
The court’s order compels the Senate to end Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension immediately.
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