A Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled that the Nigerian Senate retains full authority to discipline its members for unethical behavior. Justice Binta Nyako emphasized that, under Senate Rules, the Senate President has the exclusive prerogative to assign seating, and senators may only speak from their designated seats. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was found to be in breach of these rules when she spoke from an unassigned seat during the February 20 Senate session .
While affirming the Senate’s right to suspend members, the court described the six-month suspension of Senator Akpoti as “excessive” and advised the Senate to reassess its duration. Justice Nyako also urged the legislature to consider recalling her, enabling her to serve her constituents and to issue a formal apology to the Senate .
In a separate civil contempt finding, Justice Nyako imposed a ₦5 million fine against Akpoti. The court determined that she had defied a gag order issued on April 4 by posting a satirical open letter on Facebook on April 27. Although sentencing in civil contempt cases does not include imprisonment, the court mandated the fine be paid to the Federal Government. Additionally, the senator was instructed to publish a formal apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page within seven days .
This ruling reinforces the Senate’s internal regulatory authority, while the court’s call for a lighter suspension and formal reconciliation suggests a push toward balancing institutional discipline with representative accountability.
