Court Orders Senate to Recall Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Senate must recall suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central.
The Federal High Court ruled that the Senate's six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was excessive. The court declared that the provisions guiding suspensions in the Senate Standing Rules and Legislative Houses Act were overreaching because they didn't specify a maximum suspension period.
The court noted that the six-month suspension effectively barred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from performing her duties for nearly 180 days, given the Senate's 181-day sitting calendar. It ruled that while the Senate can discipline its members, the punishment shouldn't be so severe that it denies constituents their right to representation.
The Federal High Court ruled that the Senate's six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was excessive. The court declared that the provisions guiding suspensions in the Senate Standing Rules and Legislative Houses Act were overreaching because they didn't specify a maximum suspension period.
The court noted that the six-month suspension effectively barred Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from performing her duties for nearly 180 days, given the Senate's 181-day sitting calendar. It ruled that while the Senate can discipline its members, the punishment shouldn't be so severe that it denies constituents their right to representation.
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The court ruled that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was justified in denying Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary since she wasn't in her designated seat. However, the court rejected Akpabio's argument that it lacked jurisdiction over the matter, stating it wasn't an internal Senate affair. Additionally, the court fined Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for breaching an earlier order not to make public statements about the case.
The court ruled that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was justified in denying Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary since she wasn't in her designated seat. However, the court rejected Akpabio's argument that it lacked jurisdiction over the matter, stating it wasn't an internal Senate affair. Additionally, the court fined Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for breaching an earlier order not to make public statements about the case.
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