Sen. Natasha Serves Out Six-month Suspension: What’s Next?

By Emmanuel Kwada

The six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, officially ended today, September 6, 2025, after a tumultuous period marked by legal battles, allegations of political persecution, and a controversial recall attempt by some constituents.

The suspension, imposed by the Nigerian Senate on March 6, 2025, stemmed from allegations of gross misconduct and violation of Senate rules, following a heated dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over a seating arrangement and her subsequent accusation of sexual harassment against him. As the suspension concludes, questions linger: Will the Senate reinstate her, and what is the status of her ongoing court cases?

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only four female senators in Nigeria’s 109-member Senate, was triggered by a February 20, 2025, plenary session altercation over her assigned seat.

The disagreement escalated when she accused Senate President Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office, claims he vehemently denied.

The Senate’s Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions Committee dismissed her petition as procedurally flawed, and on March 6, the Senate voted to suspend her for six months, citing “unparliamentary conduct” and bringing the chamber into “public opprobrium.”

The terms of her suspension included barring her from the National Assembly, locking her office, halting her salary and aides’ allowances, and prohibiting her from representing Nigeria officially.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker and vocal advocate for the revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, maintained that the suspension was retaliation for her allegations against Akpabio. “This injustice will not be sustained,” she declared as she was escorted out of the Senate chamber on March 6, 2025, vowing to challenge the decision legally.

Nigerian senate suspends Senator Natasha for 6months and here is her respond to then “This injustice will not be sustained”.#Senate #Allison #Natasha #Liverpool #Cech #Anfield #Fido #Dembele #Benfica #oraimoPowerBank #PSGLIV pic.twitter.com/HaaEjKAa0u

— Business Elites Africa (@ElitesAfrica) March 6, 2025

On July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a landmark ruling in Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025), declaring the six-month suspension “excessive” and unconstitutional.

The court found that Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, which allowed for indefinite suspensions, violated constitutional principles by depriving Kogi Central constituents of representation for nearly 180 days—almost the entire 181-day legislative session.

Justice Nyako ordered the Senate to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan immediately, emphasizing that disciplinary actions must be proportionate and respect constituents’ rights.

kpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian constitution

However, the Senate resisted compliance, arguing that the ruling was “declaratory” rather than mandatory. On July 14, the National Assembly’s Director of Litigation, Charles Yoila, stated that the judgment merely advised reinstatement, leaving the decision to the Senate’s discretion.

On July 22, Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to resume her duties at the National Assembly but was physically blocked at the gate, prompting her to accuse the Senate leadership of contempt of court. “Akpabio cannot be greater than the Nigerian constitution,” she told journalists, asserting that her legitimacy derives from Kogi Central voters, not the Senate President.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

The senator also faced a contempt ruling in the same case. Justice Nyako fined her ₦5 million for violating a court gag order by posting a satirical apology to Akpabio on her Facebook page on April 27, 2025.

The court ordered her to publish apologies in two national newspapers and on her social media within seven days, a directive her legal team contested as procedurally flawed. Akpoti-Uduaghan has since appealed the contempt ruling, arguing that the court lacked authority to convict her for contempt without a separate trial, as required by Nigerian law, including the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.

Parallel to her suspension, a recall campaign emerged in Kogi Central, spearheaded by groups like the Kogi Central Women Development Association (KCWDA) and the Kogi Central Political Frontier (KCPF).

Natasha has justified our mandate.

On March 24, 2025, petitioners submitted a recall petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claiming over 250,000 signatures—exceeding INEC’s threshold. They cited gross misconduct, non-performance, and embarrassment to the district as reasons for the recall.

However, INEC flagged the petition for lacking petitioners’ contact details, and a Federal High Court in Lokoja issued an interim injunction on March 21, 2025, restraining INEC from acting on it due to allegations of fraudulent signatures.

The recall effort sharply divided Kogi Central. Supporters, including KCWDA’s Christy Omale, criticized Akpoti-Uduaghan’s conduct, particularly her unproven allegations against Akpabio, which they claimed damaged the district’s reputation.

Conversely, groups like the Ebira Youth Congress and Kogi Central People’s Alliance denounced the recall as a politically motivated “witch-hunt” orchestrated by opponents, possibly linked to Akpabio or Kogi State political figures like Governor Ahmed Ododo and former Governor Yahaya Bello. “Natasha has justified our mandate,” said Ahmed Sakabido of the Ebira Youth Congress, calling the suspension and recall efforts unconstitutional.

The Senate cannot use internal rules as a shield when fundamental rights are at stake

With her suspension now expired, Akpoti-Uduaghan is expected to attempt to resume her Senate duties when the National Assembly reconvenes. However, the Senate’s response remains uncertain.

Senate spokesperson Senator Yemi Adaramodu previously stated that the chamber would review the court’s Certified True Copy (CTC) before deciding on reinstatement, but no formal debate has occurred, and Senate President Akpabio has remained silent.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, backed by Senior Advocates of Nigeria, is pursuing an appeal against the contempt ruling, with a hearing adjourned to September 23, 2025. The appeal argues that the contempt conviction was biased and lacked due process.

The recall process also hangs in the balance. The Lokoja court’s injunction has stalled INEC’s verification, and Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters continue to challenge the petition’s legitimacy. Public opinion in Kogi Central remains polarized, with some praising her as a reformist voice and others viewing her actions as divisive.

Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case has sparked broader debates about legislative autonomy, judicial oversight, and gender dynamics in Nigerian politics. Civil society groups have called for transparent investigations into her allegations against Akpabio, while legal scholars see the July 4 ruling as a precedent against excessive legislative sanctions. “The Senate cannot use internal rules as a shield when fundamental rights are at stake,” Justice Nyako noted, a statement that may influence future disciplinary actions.

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