The Traffic

UPDATED: Court lifts Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate suspension but fines her N5m for contempt

A Federal High Court in Abuja has lifted the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, declaring it "excessive and unconstitutional". The court ruled that the Senate's action denied her constituents their right to representation, as the National Assembly is required to sit for only 181 days in a legislative year, making the suspension equivalent to silencing her entire constituency .

By Rhalialt Arhuoizah 

*Key Highlights of the Judgment:*

- *Unconstitutionality of Suspension*: The court held that the Senate's suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was beyond its legal authority, violating statutory provisions governing legislative conduct.
- *Right to Representation*: The judge emphasized that the suspension amounted to a breach of legislative due process and a violation of the lawmaker's constitutional rights to representation and participation in parliamentary affairs.
- *Contempt Fine*: However, the court also fined Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan N5 million for contempt, citing her "satirical apology" post on Facebook, which mocked Senate President Godswill Akpabio, as a deliberate mockery of the judiciary and the Senate.
- *Apology Requirement*: The court ordered Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days to "purge" herself of the contemptuous act .

*Background:*

The suspension was imposed on March 6 after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over her assigned seat. Despite an initial restraining order from the court, the Senate proceeded with the suspension. The matter has attracted both local and international media attention, further intensified by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan's allegations of sexual harassment against Mr. Akpabio, which the Senate dismissed on two occasions .