A federal judge has told the Senate to bring back suspended lawmaker Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from Kogi Central. Justice Binta Nyako ruled that the six-month punishment was way over the top. The court found major problems with the Senate rules and another law about legislative powers. Both pieces of legislation went beyond what they should allow, the judge decided. The ruling came down at the Federal High Court located in Abuja.
The judge backed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for refusing to let the senator speak during a meeting. Akpoti-Uduaghan had moved away from her assigned seat when she tried to address the chamber. Justice Nyako said the senator must say sorry to the entire Senate for her actions. The court also pointed out that current laws never state how long a lawmaker can be suspended. Punishments should not be harsh enough to leave voters without proper representation.
Akpabio had argued that courts should stay out of Senate business matters. Justice Nyako rejected this claim and said the court had every right to hear the case. The judge slapped a five million naira fine on the senator for breaking court orders. Akpoti-Uduaghan had been told not to make public statements about the legal fight. She must print an apology in two major newspapers within one week and faces two more court cases for cybercrime and defamation charges.
The judge backed Senate President Godswill Akpabio for refusing to let the senator speak during a meeting. Akpoti-Uduaghan had moved away from her assigned seat when she tried to address the chamber. Justice Nyako said the senator must say sorry to the entire Senate for her actions. The court also pointed out that current laws never state how long a lawmaker can be suspended. Punishments should not be harsh enough to leave voters without proper representation.
Akpabio had argued that courts should stay out of Senate business matters. Justice Nyako rejected this claim and said the court had every right to hear the case. The judge slapped a five million naira fine on the senator for breaking court orders. Akpoti-Uduaghan had been told not to make public statements about the legal fight. She must print an apology in two major newspapers within one week and faces two more court cases for cybercrime and defamation charges.
