Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, will return to the Senate on Tuesday following a Federal High Court ruling that nullified her six-month suspension. The senator made the announcement in a video message to her supporters, expressing gratitude for their steadfast support throughout the legal battle.
The Abuja court, presided over by Justice Binta Nyako, declared the suspension unconstitutional, stating that it excessively infringed on the rights of her constituents. However, the court imposed a N5 million fine on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt over a satirical Facebook post directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which violated an earlier court order barring public comments on the case.
The controversy began in March 2025 when the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan following a heated session where she accused Akpabio of sexual harassment. Her suspension drew widespread criticism from civil society groups, prompting her to challenge the decision in court.
While lifting the suspension, Justice Nyako ordered the senator to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and repost it on her Facebook page within seven days. The ruling marks a partial victory for Akpoti-Uduaghan, who maintains that her suspension was politically motivated to silence her.
Her return to the Senate is expected to reignite debates over legislative accountability and freedom of expression within Nigeria’s political landscape.
