Sen Natasha Appeals Court Ruling After Losing Bid to Challenge Senate Disciplinary Actions »

Suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed an appeal against a Federal High Court judgment that dismissed her attempts to block disciplinary actions taken against her by the Nigerian Senate.

The legal dispute stems from Senator Natasha’s suspension and related decisions of the Senate, including reassigning her seat and inviting her to appear before its Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

On July 4, 2025, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissed all the reliefs she sought, rejecting her challenges to the Senate’s authority in four key areas:

The Senate’s invitation for her to appear before its Ethics Committee.
The reassignment of her seat in the chamber.
Her insistence on speaking from an unauthorised seat on the Senate floor, which the court ruled was in breach of Senate Standing Orders.
Her argument that she could not be disciplined by the Senate at all.

The court held that Senator Natasha violated the chamber’s rules when she refused to use her newly assigned seat, deeming her conduct unparliamentary.

In addition to dismissing her claims, the court found Senator Natasha in contempt over a mocking post she had published on Facebook that purported to be an apology. She was ordered to:

Pay ₦5 million to the Federal Government.
Remove the satirical Facebook post.
Publish a genuine apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page.

Critics say that despite losing the case, Senator Natasha celebrated the outcome with her supporters, creating the impression that the court had ordered her recall to the Senate. Her legal team has since filed a Notice of Appeal, challenging aspects of the judgment, particularly the contempt ruling and associated penalties.

Meanwhile, lawyers acting in defence of the Senate’s position have filed a cross-appeal and an interlocutory application. According to Mr. Dayo Fadugba, a legal analyst who issued a statement on Monday, these actions aim to uphold the Senate’s independence and prevent the alleged misinterpretation of the judgment.

He clarified that the judge’s remarks about a potential review of Senate Standing Orders or a possible recall of the Senator were merely advisory (known in law as obiter dicta) and not binding court orders.

“The public is hereby reminded that the Nigerian Senate remains committed to order, decorum, and the rule of law,” Fadugba stated. “It will not be destabilised by media stunts or sensationalist narratives.”

The Senate leadership has reiterated its commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration in delivering on its democratic and developmental mandate.