Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for six months by the Nigerian Senate, has announced plans to return to legislative duties following a Federal High Court decision that overturned her suspension.
The court ruled her suspension as unconstitutional and ordered her reinstatement, emphasising hat the action infringed on the rights of her constituents. However, the judge also imposed a ₦5 million fine on the senator for contempt of court over a social media post that violated an existing gag order.
While the judgment favours Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate has stated it will not take any formal steps until it receives the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling. Officials say the decision must be fully examined before any further action is taken.
Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension in March had drawn criticism from civil society groups after she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of misconduct during a plenary session. Her legal team later challenged the suspension in court, calling it politically motivated.
As of the latest update, she has not fulfilled the court’s order to publicly apologise in national newspapers and on social media, a condition tied to the contempt ruling.
The situation has created a tense standoff, as the lawmaker signals her return to the chamber while Senate leadership insists on legal due process.