Natasha wins as court orders senate to reinstate suspended senator

By Paul Dada

A  Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the senate to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from suspension.

The court  presided over by Justice Binta Nyako declared the six-month suspension imposed on the lawmaker as “excessive” and faulted the Senate’s Standing Rules and the Legislative Houses, Powers & Privileges Act for failing to specify a maximum period for suspension.

Justice Nyako held that the suspension was depriving her  constituents of their right to representation for about 180 days although she admitted the Senate has power to punish its members, She maintained that the punishment meted out to Natasha  must not be excessive.

The court also dismissed Senator Akpabio’s contention that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, stating that it had the power to hear the case.

However,  the judge earlier in her verdict Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan N1 million for breaching an earlier order restraining the parties from making public statements on the suit.

She ordered Akpoti-Uduaghan to publish an apology within seven days in two national dailies.

But  the court found that Akpabio was not wrong in denying Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan the opportunity to speak during plenary when she occupied an unofficial seat.