The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to nullify the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked the legal standing to challenge the Senate’s internal disciplinary action.
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on Friday, striking out the case filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others against Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senate.
The plaintiffs had questioned the legality of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, imposed in March 2025 over alleged misconduct and violation of Senate standing rules.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, the complainants argued that the suspension deprived the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District of adequate representation and urged the court to nullify the decision.
However, Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate a direct personal interest in the case, noting that they were not parties directly affected by the Senate’s disciplinary action.
He therefore dismissed the suit for lacking merit.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan returned to her office in the National Assembly complex on September 23, after serving her suspension, which took effect on March 6.
The lawmaker’s office, sealed for six months, was reopened by Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, marking her official reinstatement.
The senator’s return drew jubilant supporters, who accompanied her from the FCT High Court, where she attended a separate defamation hearing involving Senate President Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to the National Assembly.
Although the Senate is currently on recess, Akpoti-Uduaghan said her suspension did not deter her from performing her responsibilities to her constituents, insisting that she remained committed to her legislative duties throughout the period.
The Senate leadership had earlier defended its decision to suspend her, arguing that it was guided by the chamber’s internal rules and the need to maintain institutional discipline.
It also stated that any review of her suspension would only occur after the conclusion of ongoing legal proceedings.
With Friday’s judgment, the Senate’s decision stands, while Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal challenge continues to make its way through the appellate process.
