Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a lawsuit filed against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which sought to challenge the legality of the six-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for alleged misconduct.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/654/2025 and brought by Ovavu Illiyasu and nine others, argued that the suspension deprived Kogi Central of adequate representation and sought its nullification.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the plaintiffs lacked locus standi — the legal right to bring the case — and therefore dismissed the suit for lack of merit.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed work at the National Assembly on September 23, 2025, following the end of her suspension, which began on 6 March for breaching Senate standing rules. Despite the suspension, she maintained that she continued fulfilling her responsibilities as a senator.
Her office, sealed during the suspension period, was reopened by the Sergeant-at-Arms, signalling her official return. Supporters accompanied her from the FCT High Court — where she is involved in a defamation case against Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello — to celebrate the end of the sanction.
Although she had challenged the suspension in court, the Senate insisted that the decision would only be reconsidered after judicial proceedings concluded. The upper chamber defended its actions, stating that adherence to its internal rules was essential to protect the integrity of the institution.