Court Directs Senate to Reinstate Natasha, Imposes N5m Fine for Contempt

On Friday, the Federal High Court in Abuja mandated the Senate to reinstate Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, to her legislative role, deeming her six-month suspension “excessive.” 

Justice Binta Nyako, in her ruling, also imposed a N5 million fine on Akpoti-Uduaghan for contempt due to a “Satirical Apology” posted on her Facebook page on April 27, which violated a valid court order.

Justice Nyako, therefore, ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to tender an unreserved apology in two national dailies and on her Facebook page within seven days of the order before she can purge herself of the contemptuous act against the court.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the lawmaker had, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025 and filed on March 3, dragged the clerk of the National Assembly and the Senate; the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio to court.

Equally joined in the suit seeking court order to stop them from sanctioning her over her alleged misconduct was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Public Petitions and Privileges, Sen. Neda Imasuen.

NAN