Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, says she will resume her legislative duties in the red chamber on Tuesday.
On March 6, the senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six
months over alleged gross misconduct.
The decision followed the adoption of the report by the
committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions after the Kogi senator’s
altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Akpoti-Uduaghan had filed a suit before the Abuja federal
high court seeking to stop the suspension.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Binta Nyako, the presiding
judge, affirmed the power of the senate to suspend erring members, including
the Kogi senator.
However, the court faulted the duration of her suspension,
describing it as “overreaching” and “excessive”.
The judge said the relevant laws of the senate did not
define the maximum duration for which a serving lawmaker can be suspended from
office.
She held that since lawmakers are constitutionally required
to sit for a total of 181 days in each legislative session, the six-month
suspension imposed on Akpoti-Uduaghan effectively stripped her of the
opportunity to carry out her legislative duties for nearly the entire session.
This, the judge noted, amounted to denying her constituents
their right to representation.
“A senator is expected to represent her people,” the judge
stated.
“I am of the view that the senate has the power to amend
that rule,” Nyako said, adding that the senate “can and should” reconsider
recalling the plaintiff back to office.
She also ordered the senator to pay a N5 million fine for
violating a court order by publishing a satirical apology to Akpabio on her
Facebook page.
Reacting to the court ruling, Akpoti-Uduaghan described the
judgment as a victory.
“I thank you for your support. I am glad we are victorious
today. We shall resume in the Senate on Tuesday by the grace of God,” the
senator told her supporters.
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