Federal High Court Sets June 27 For Final Judgment In Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Senate Suspension Case.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled 27 June 2025 as the date for delivering its final judgment in the high-profile legal battle involving suspended Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The announcement was made by Justice Binta Nyako during a hearing on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, bringing the contentious case closer to resolution.
The case stems from Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension from the Nigerian Senate in March 2025, following an altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio over seating arrangements in February. The suspended senator, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is challenging the Senate’s decision, arguing that she was not accorded a fair hearing before the suspension was imposed. Her legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jibrin Okutepa, has emphasised the urgency of the matter, noting that the suspension’s limited duration necessitates an expeditious resolution.
The dispute has been marked by a series of legal and public confrontations. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio, made prior to her suspension, have intensified the feud, drawing significant media attention. In response, Akpabio has denied the claims and filed a contempt charge against the senator, accusing her of breaching a court gag order by posting a satirical apology on social media on 27 April 2025. The post, in which Akpoti-Uduaghan sarcastically apologised for “maintaining dignity and self-respect,” was deemed by Akpabio’s legal team, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), to violate Justice Nyako’s 4 April order barring both parties from making public statements about the case.
During the latest hearing, Justice Nyako also addressed a counter-contempt charge filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio and the Senate, alleging their disobedience to an earlier court order. The judge requested a copy of the Senate rules to aid her deliberations and adjourned the case to ensure a thorough review of all pending applications, including preliminary objections and the substantive suit.
The legal saga has sparked broader conversations about gender dynamics and legislative ethics in Nigerian politics. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s outspoken criticism, including her international media appearances on platforms like the BBC and Sky News, has highlighted concerns about the treatment of female lawmakers. Her address at the Inter-Parliamentary Union conference in New York, where she described her suspension as “political victimisation,” further amplified the case’s global resonance.
As the court prepares to deliver its verdict, the outcome is expected to have significant implications for Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political career and the Senate’s internal processes. Observers await the 27 June judgment, which could set a precedent for handling disputes within Nigeria’s legislative chambers.
