The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Nigerian Senate exceeded its constitutional powers by suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months, ordering her immediate reinstatement to the National Assembly.

Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako described the suspension as “excessive” and lacking legal justification.

According to the court, neither Chapter 8 of the Senate Standing Orders nor Section 14 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act—cited by the Senate as its basis—specifies a maximum duration for suspensions. The judge noted that by suspending a senator for nearly half the legislative year, the Senate effectively deprived an entire constituency of representation, which she ruled as unconstitutional.

“While the Senate retains the power to discipline its members, such disciplinary measures must not infringe on the right of constituents to be represented,” Justice Nyako held.

However, the court upheld Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s decision to deny Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan the floor during plenary on procedural grounds. Akpabio had argued that she was not seated in her assigned seat—a reason the court agreed did not constitute a breach of her rights.

Justice Nyako also dismissed Akpabio’s claim that the judiciary had no jurisdiction over the matter, affirming that issues relating to fundamental rights and representation fall squarely within the court’s purview.

In a separate ruling, the court imposed a financial penalty—running into millions of naira—on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for violating a previous court order that barred both parties from making public comments on the ongoing legal proceedings.