Judge rules plaintiffs lack legal standing to contest the lawmaker’s suspension from the Senate.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has dismissed a suit challenging the legality of the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District. The suit, which sought to void the suspension imposed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate leadership, was dismissed because the plaintiffs lacked the legal capacity to bring the action before the court.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others who claimed that the suspension of their senator deprived the people of Kogi Central of adequate representation in the National Assembly. They asked the court to declare the suspension unconstitutional, arguing that it violated the right of their district to have full legislative participation.
In delivering his judgment on Friday, Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiffs failed to establish sufficient legal interest in the matter. The court maintained that only Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was directly affected by the disciplinary measure, had the legal right to challenge the Senate’s action. Consequently, the judge dismissed the suit for lack of merit, upholding the Senate’s authority to discipline its members in accordance with its standing rules.
The ruling effectively brings an end to the case filed by the group of constituents who had argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s absence for six months had left their district underrepresented during key legislative sessions. The court, however, ruled that the plaintiffs could not assume the lawmaker’s right to challenge the decision since she had already initiated a separate legal action contesting her suspension.
Senator’s Suspension And Return To Office
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate on March 6, 2025, for allegedly breaching standing rules and engaging in what the leadership described as acts of misconduct. Her office in the National Assembly, located in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, was sealed off immediately after the disciplinary action was announced.
Despite the suspension, the senator continued to perform limited duties related to her constituency, maintaining public engagements and pursuing legal redress. The suspension drew public criticism and sparked debates over whether the Senate had overreached its powers in imposing such disciplinary measures on an elected member.
After serving the full six-month suspension, Akpoti-Uduaghan officially returned to the National Assembly on September 23, 2025. The Sergeant-at-Arms reopened her office under the directive of the Senate leadership, signalling her reinstatement to full legislative duties. Her return was greeted with excitement by supporters, who accompanied her to the National Assembly complex after attending a separate defamation hearing at the Federal Capital Territory High Court involving Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Although the Senate was on recess at the time of her return, the unsealing of her office marked the formal end of her disciplinary period. Legislative aides confirmed that all administrative restrictions placed on her access had been lifted.
Senate’s Position And Legal Outlook
The Senate has maintained that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension was carried out in accordance with its internal procedures to preserve institutional integrity and discipline. Officials insist that the chamber reserves the right to sanction members who violate its rules, adding that such actions are necessary to uphold order within the legislative body.
The lawmaker’s separate legal challenge to her suspension remains pending at the appellate level. The Senate leadership has stated that no further administrative review will be considered until the Court of Appeal delivers its decision. Legal observers believe the outcome of that case could help clarify the extent of the legislature’s disciplinary powers under Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court’s dismissal of the suit filed by the ten constituents is seen as reinforcing the Senate’s autonomy in handling internal disciplinary matters. It also narrows the scope for external intervention by constituents in cases involving parliamentary sanctions.
The controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension has been one of the most closely watched developments in the Ninth Senate, highlighting the delicate balance between parliamentary authority and the rights of elected representatives. With her return to the office and renewed access to Senate facilities, the Kogi lawmaker is expected to resume full participation in legislative duties once the National Assembly reconvenes.
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