A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has nullified the suspension of Kogi State Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ordering her immediate recall to the Senate.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Fatima Nyako ruled that the senator’s six-month suspension was unconstitutional and deprived her constituents of proper representation. The decision came in response to a suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension by the Senate.
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Justice Nyako emphasized that while the National Assembly has the authority to discipline its members, such actions must not be excessive or infringe on the rights of the electorate.
She noted that the six-month suspension exceeded the constitutional limit of 180 legislative sitting days and therefore amounted to an abuse of legislative power.
However, in a separate ruling, the court found Akpoti-Uduaghan guilty of contempt of court and imposed a fine of ₦5 million. She was also ordered to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.
More details to follow…
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