Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit challenging the suspension of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025, was filed by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the National Assembly. The plaintiffs sought to invalidate the six-month suspension imposed on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct.
They argued that the suspension was unconstitutional and unjust, stressing that it deprived their senatorial district of representation at the upper chamber. According to them, the action of the Senate amounted to shortchanging the people of Kogi Central, and they prayed the court to void the suspension and order her immediate reinstatement.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Omotosho dismissed the suit on the grounds that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi (legal authority) to institute the action. The judge held that only the affected lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan herself, had the legal right to challenge her suspension in court.
“The plaintiffs are not directly affected by the suspension in the eyes of the law, and therefore cannot maintain this action,” Justice Omotosho ruled.
The decision effectively affirms the Senate’s authority to discipline its members, while leaving the option open for Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to personally contest her suspension if she chooses to do so.